GILAS Pilipinas is expected to play a fast-paced style for the fourth window of the Fiba Basketball World Cup Asia qualifiers that includes a match against Lebanon on Thursday (Friday, 2 a.m., Philippine time) with the line-up it has put together.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director and spokesperson Sonny Barrios said the athleticism and the height of the team will be two advantages which a Gilas team led by NBA star Jordan Clarkson wants to expoit.
“If you notice, maganda ang height ng team na ‘to. Ang pinakamaliit nila si Scottie at si Kiefer, I guess. The others have good height and good heft. Puro maliliksi kumilos itong team na ‘to,” said Barrios during Monday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.
Kai Sotto is also in the squad along with PBA players Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, Jamie Malonzo, Chris Newsome, and Calvin Oftana, Japan B.League Asian imports Dwight Ramos, Bobby Ray Parks, Thirdy Ravena, and Kiefer Ravena, college standout Carl Tamayo, and free agent Roosevelt Adams.
Barrios said he is impressed with how the team is coming together, and how the coaching staff is putting together a game plan against the style of Lebanon, the surprise runner-up to Australia in the recent Fiba Asia Cup.
The SBP official also sees that the team will be putting premium on sharing the basketball against the host.
“’Yung ball movement kahapon, nakita ko ang ganda. May mga plays sila na sa totoo lang, ngayon lang namin nakikita. I think they are adapting to specific opponents. Ganun na ‘yung takbo ng preparation natin,” said Barrios.
“Sa offense, sa nakita ko, fast ball movement including moving without the ball, patience in taking a shot, hindi nagmamadali, give it to the open man, kung may sasalaksak, natakpan, kick out. Move the ball fast. Wala ‘yung mga matatagal na ball-hogging na point guard,” said Barrios.
SBP says this is the best combination of available players for Gilas at this time.
Barrios expressed optimism about the chances of the current Gilas line-up that may not have the best talent in the country, but has the pieces and qualities to play a competitive game against Lebanon.
“We observed and evaluated what is the so-called best mix for the Lebanon trip. Ganun naman ang konsiderasyon natin. Madalas niyo marinig ‘yung they are not really the best players in the country but they are the best team to play against Lebanon based on who are the available players.
"Sa observation natin, eto ang pinakamagandang combination based sa pagsusuri at pag-aaral ng coaching staff,” said Barrios.
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