GETTING past South Korea for a semifinal berth in the 18th Asian Games is definitely o easy task the Philippine men’s basketball team.
But the Sokors are beatable, according to Louie Alas.
“They are beatable,” said the Phoenix Fuel Masters coach, who was able to observe the same Korean national team Yeng Guiao and the Filipinos will battle in the quarterfinals on Monday morning in Jakarta, Indonesia.
“Basta madepensahan lang natin yung perimeter shooting nila and force them to miss their outside shots, maganda ang chance natin,” added Alas shortly after his Fuel Masters team clobbered the NorthPort Batang Pier, 132-91 for its second straight win in the PBA Governors' Cup.
Alas was in Incheon, Korea three weeks ago to watch coach Hur Jae and the Sokors in training as part of the exchange basketball program between Phoenix and the Seoul Samsung Thunders, who are being handled by one-time Philippine team tormentor Lee Sang Min (Remember 2002 Busan Asian Games).
The Phoenix coach was accompanied in the trip by team board of governor Atty. Raymond Zorilla and manager Paolo Bugia.
Alas initially watched the training from the bleacher section, but was later asked to go down at ringside.
“Mabait naman si Hur Jae. Gustong makipag-kuwentuhan sa amin nung nalaman niya that we’re from the Philippines,” said Alas. “Pinaalala ko nga sa kanya na nakalaban ko siya dati sa Pilipinas during the (PABL) Invitationals.”
Truth to tell, Alas is blown away by the way the Sokors play.
“On a scale of 1 to 10, eight sila in terms of teamwork, and on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 in terms of discipline. Grabe ang fluidity nila,” said Alas.
Compared to China, which had to scramble past the Philippines, 82-80, last week in the preliminaries, Korea is an unpredictable opponent, according to the former national team coach.
“Ang China kasi, you know what they can do to you. Kaya alam mo ang preparation mo,” said Alas. “Ang Korea, hindi mo alam saan ka papatayin.”
But Alas is confident Guiao and his coaching staff did their homework.
“Sabi ko nga beatable naman ang Korea, and I’m sure coach Yeng and his team ay ready para dito,” he said.
One in support of the men’s team’s bid to end a 20-year medal drought, Alas has moved the Fuel Masters’ Monday practice at the Upper Deck gym to an earlier slot for them to be able to watch the Philippines-South Korea game at 11:00 a.m.
“Pina-move ko yung practice namin ng mas maaga para mapanood namin ng sama-sama (yung game),” he said.
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