ASIDE from knowing Gilas Pilipinas' groupmates in the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup, Chot Reyes was also interested in where the other Asian teams ended up based on the draw ceremony on Saturday.
Reyes said the bid for a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics was also in his mind during the draw since the Basketball World Cup serves as its qualifier. The top Asian team in the World Cup will play in Paris.
“I was also looking at the other groups,” said Reyes. “It’s important that our other Asian competitors are in tough groups because the best Asian team goes to the Olympics.”
READ: Check out results of the 2023 World Cup draw
But at the end of the draw, Reyes admitted the quest for an Olympic berth has become even tougher based on the groupmates of the other Asian teams, specifically mentioning China and Iran.
China is in Group B along with Serbia, Puerto Rico, and South Sudan, while Iran is in Group G with Spain, Brazil, and Cote D’Ivoire. Reyes believes the two teams are capable of pulling off wins.
The Philippines, on the other hand, is in Group A along with Italy, Dominican Republic, and Angola.
“I think China is in a pretty good group. They drew South Sudan. Iran drew with Ivory Coast so those are teams that they can beat, I think,” said Reyes.
“As much as I was looking at our group, I was also looking at what are the teams that the other Asian teams drew as well. That’s going to determine who is going to be the best Asian team. Remember, our objective here is to get to the Olympics in 2024. That’s the goal. That’s the dream,” said Reyes.
When asked about the team’s chances of making it to the Olympics based on where the Asian teams ended up, Reyes said: “Mahirap na mahirap. Very, very tough.”
“Hopefully, we can get a win or two in this World Cup [to] give us a chance to qualify for the Olympics,” said Reyes.
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