DOMINICAN Republic coach Nestor Garcia isn’t taking the Philippines lightly in their game to open their campaign in the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup on Friday at the Philippine Arena.
Garcia said he is aware of what Gilas Pilipinas can bring to the table, and doesn’t see an easy game even with NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns aboard.
See Team USA arrives in Manila for Fiba Basketball World Cup
For one, the Argentine coach expects the crowd to be in full force at the Philippine Arena where the aim of local organizers is to fill the place up and break the Fiba attendance record of 32,616.
This despite Dominican Republic being ranked No. 23 in the world over Gilas, which sits at 40th.
“Our first game is against you,” said Garcia in an ambush interview by Filipino reporters after the arrival of the team at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Monday night. “It’s [going to be] noisy.”
Garcia, who coached the Argentina national team in 2021, said the Philippines has a versatile team whose one weapon that they are looking to contain is their shooting.
“They have shooters,” said Garcia. “I think it’s a great team. They have shooters that run the court. They have big guys. They try to attack everytime. They are a very aggressive team.”
Dominican Republic is no stranger to facing a Philippine team. The two clashed during the 2020 Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade last July 1, 2021 with Dominican Republic beating Gilas Pilipinas, 94-67.
Garcia added Dominican Republic is definitely cautious about Towns’ fellow NBA player Jordan Clarkson, who will be playing for Gilas Pilipinas.
Garcia said it will take a collective effort to contain Clarkson and Gilas.
“I know that (he is a) big player. But basketball is a team game. And Clarkson is a star too. We know that he’s very dangerous. He can produce a lot of things,” said Garcia.
“Philippines has a great team and that’s for us, it’s a big motivation,” Garcia said.
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