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    Iran not just a Hamed Haddadi team, Guiao warns

    Here are the other Iranian stars who Team Pilipinas have to worry about
    Sep 9, 2018
    Mohammadsamad Nikkhahbahrami is one of the target men outside Hamed Haddadi.
    PHOTO: fiba

    IRAN may be Hamed Haddadi’s team but Philippine coach Yeng Guiao cautions that their opponents in the Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers isn’t the 7-foot-2 big man's team alone.

    Guiao said the coaching staff has been watching videos of past Iran games as they scout their opposition for their September 13 match in the Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers in Tehran.

    As the days go by, Guiao said they are continuing to find out how tough Iran is as an opponent.

    “It’s going to be a tough team,” Guiao said on Sunday. “The more we watch the videos, the more we study how they play, parang lalong lumalaki ‘yung challenge.”

    Haddadi has been the face of Iran basketball for many years. In 2013, the former NBA player led Iran to the Fiba Asia Championship when they beat Gilas Pilipinas at the Mall of Asia Arena.

    Guiao, though, said Iran is more than just Haddadi, mentioning the likes of Mohammadsamad Nikkhahbahrami and Arsalan Kazemi as players who can also step up for their team.

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      Nikkhahbahrami and Kazemi were part of the Iran squad that played in the recent Asian Games in Jakarta. Nikkhahbahrami, 35, has been playing for Iran in four Asian Championships, one World Cup, and one Olympics, while the 28-year-old Kazemi also played for Iran in the 2010 and 2014 Fiba World Cup.

      “We worry a lot about Hadaddi because of his size and experience. He is very intelligent. He knows how to make use of his assets. I think aside from Haddadi, we need to worry about their big guards. Sila Bahrami, sila Kazemi, even their point guards are really good.

      “So ako, I’m trying to guard against just focusing on Haddadi. Hindi lang siya ang problema natin. May mga ibang problema tayo na magagaling din,” said Guiao.

      Guiao said Iran has shown their familiarity, having played with each other for many years.

      “They are solid and they are automatic. Tayo, gusto natin automatic din tayo na free-flowing pero sila, nandoon na at matagal na silang nandoon,” said Guiao.

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      Mohammadsamad Nikkhahbahrami is one of the target men outside Hamed Haddadi.
      PHOTO: fiba
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