IVORY Coast coach Dejan Prokic had good things to say about Gilas Pilipinas following their tune-up game on Friday night in preparation for the Fiba Basketball World Cup.
Cote d’Ivoire went up and lost against Gilas Pilipinas, 85-62, behind the 13-point performance of Jordan Clarkson. It was the first time that Gilas was in full strength with Kai Sotto and Scottie Thompson, who missed a couple of tune-up games due to a fractured hand, also seeing action.
READ: Clarkson, Fajardo spark Gilas Pilipinas win over Ivory Coast in tuneup
“Philippine is a very good team, Clarkson is an exceptional player,” the Serbian coach was quoted as saying in a press release to media outlets by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
“They have a very good coach, they used what they have, they’re quite bigger than us and today they used it a lot. So I think Angola should not be a question,” said Prokic, when asked about Gilas’ chances against Angola.
Gilas Pilipinas went up against Ivory Coast with the goal of simulating the play of Angola, its opponent on August 27 during the group stage of the Fiba Basketball World Cup.
Gilas actually occupies the No. 40 spot in the world rankings followed by Angola and Ivory Coast.
Head coach Chot Reyes, however, played down the win over Ivory Coast, emphasizing that the game isn’t the World Cup yet and they still need some improvements.
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