INSTEAD of dwelling on the negatives after Gilas Pilipinas Youth’s close 77-68 win against Indonesia in the Fiba U16 Asia Cup SEABA qualifiers on Wednesday, LA Tenorio looked at the bright side.
It’s understandable to feel disappointment or embarrassment after the teenage Filipino dribblers couldn’t keep their regional rivals at bay and saw them stay within striking distance for most of the game – after three blowout wins.
READ Gilas Youth passes first real SEABA test by outlasting Indonesia
But Tenorio is glad his boys got to experience a close call to keep them grounded after three blowout wins, capped by a 64-point rout of Singapore last Monday.
“Of course, natural tendency ng mga players, teams lmost especially, they know that way the things are getting, parang feeling nila madali yung game,” the national youth coach admitted.
But against Indonesia, Batang Gilas couldn’t build a lead beyond 12 points and saw the Indonesians come within four points inside the last five minutes before mounting a late push to fend off their rivals.
“It's easy for a player, for a team to get out of that system and discipline,” Tenorio said. “Going through the motions. Ni-remind ko yung mga players na we won because of our talents and not because of our system. And we don't wanna do that. We don't like that.”
“That's why I'm okay,” he continued. “I'm okay na na-experience namin ganyan. Instead na na-experience pa namin on Friday na baka matakot yung mga players tumira.”
Gilas Youth’s fourth straight win tightened their grip on the top spot in the six-team field and assured them of a spot in the finale on Friday – after their final game in the elimination round on Thursday night against Malaysia.
The Nationals dealt Indonesia its first loss in four games, but the latter remains poised to be the Philippines’ foe in the title game of the tournament that stakes three spots to the Asia Cup main competition in August in Mongolia.
“Alam nila ano yung gagawin playing down the stretch. But this kind of games can really prepare you mentally, makapag-isip yung mga bata na hindi ganun kadali 'yung responsibility for playing for the national team,” Tenorio said.
“It's a wake-up call for us. We have to take a look at this game and tingnan ko yung mga negative na nangyari sa amin in today's game. And we have to be better next game.”
For now, Gilas sets its sights on Malaysia (2-2) at 7 p.m. to finish the seeding elimination phase on a strong note.
“I don't wanna take a look at Friday's game. I want to focus first on Malaysia,” Tenorio said.
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