IVORY Coast somehow gave Gilas Pilipinas an idea of what to expect from Angola come their Fiba Basketball World Cup match up next week.
Coach Chot Reyes noted some similarities with the two African teams' play, something which he thinks would help the Nationals when they tangle with the Angolans on July 27 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
See Clarkson, Fajardo spark Gilas win over Ivory Coast in tuneup
“Ganun kadiin dumipensa yung Angola. They really pressure the basketball, their guards really attack the rim, they have strong, powerful big men, and they’re very long and athletic,” Reyes noted of Ivory Coast’s similarities with Team Angola.
While the Philippine team emerged victorious against the Elephants, 85-62, on Friday night in their closed-door friendly at the Philsports Arena, the Gilas coach stressed Angola offers something which Ivory Coast exactly doesn’t have.
“I think the difference is Angola has much better outside shooters than this Ivory Coast team,” Reyes said. “We played this game to prepare for them.”
Of course, Reyes pointed out the friendly is "not the World Cup," but takes the satisfaction of seeing Jordan Clarkson, Kai Sotto, and Scottie Thompson finally playing together with the rest of Gilas Pilipinas in a tune-up game.
Clarkson had with 13 points and six rebounds playing the entire first half, the 7-foot-3 Sotto had 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting and four rebounds, while Thompson had an all-around game of 11 points, four rebounds, and five assists.
“We take solace in the fact that at least we got one game under our belt where we got those three guys in,” said Reyes.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph