ALEKSANDAR ‘Sasha’ Dordevic is now humming a different tune.
The coach of the China basketball team heaped praise on Gilas Pilipinas, which he describes as an ‘athletic team’ that has the ‘needed talent’ to compete in its FIBA World Cup campaign.
WATCH:
Dordevic said he has seen some of the Philippines’ recent games and believes it’s a different team from the one his team played against in the 2019 World Cup when he was still head coach of Serbia.
“They’ve built some athletic team, they’re putting some size,” said the 55-year-old coach in a media conference on the eve of the World Cup opener.
READ: Serbia coach says Gilas losses reflect 'lack of quality'
“Their rotation of the bigs and also with (Jordan) Clarkson, they have that needed talent with the ball that can resolve any kind of situation or any kind of, let’s say, tight games.”
Dordevic of course, was the same coach who once referred to Gilas, then handled by Yeng Guiao, as having balance and quickness, but is ‘missing quality.’
He made the statement four years ago when his Serbian team whipped the Philippines, 126-67, in the Foshan, China edition of the World Cup.
Prior to the 59-point blowout, Gilas also lost by a mile against Italy, 108-62, making his scathing remark more like adding salt to the injury.
“Two European top teams who know how to play tough, physical basketball. These are results to think about in the future,” said Dordevic, who briefly suited up for the Portland Trailblazers in 1996.
But Dordevic, who became head coach of China in November last year, appeared to have mellowed now and said, ‘the Philippines is a team to respect.’
“Trust me, it’s a long time ago,” he stressed, adding how grateful he is for the warm welcome extended to him and the Chinese team by the host country.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
