GILAS Pilipinas bucked off a slow start to turn back Magnolia, 93-77, in the two team’s tune up match Friday at the Meralco gym.
Gilas Pilipinas vs Magnolia tuneup recap
Held to a standoff after the first quarter by the Hotshots, the national team began to pull away starting the second period behind a couple of three pointers from Bobby Ray Parks.
Other members of Gilas’ second unit such as AJ Edu and Rhenz Abando also came through to help the team sustain the lead till the end.
“I’m very disappointed with the way we started,” admitted national coach Chot Reyes following the morning game.
“But we made a quick change and good naman, the second unit stepped up, gave us a lot of energy, got us going, and na-sustain na namin.”
Reyes however, also saw positive take on the win.
By and large, okay naman. Throughout the game, there were moments, flashes of really, really good basketball offensively and defensively,” said the Gilas coach. But we just need to be able to sustain it over a long period of time.”
Magnolia veteran point guard Mark Barroca said Gilas’ outside shooting proved to be the game-changer.
“Nung una good start kami. Pero nung nag-start nang naka-shoot sila Ray Ray Parks, nahirapan na kami,” said Barroca who was a part of the Gilas team that saw action in the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.
The Hotshots are coming off an 11-game sweep of the PBA On Tour.
The friendly with Magnolia came a week after Gilas also played a tune up game against reigning UAAP men’s basketball champion Ateneo and won, 86-81.
Reyes said the match against the Hotshots will be the last for Gilas before it departs for China on August 1 for a mini-pocket tournament as it prepares for its World Cup campaign.
“Wala na. Paalis na kami ng Tuesday,” he added.
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