DESPITE landing in a rather tough bracket that includes two of the world top five basketball powers today, Filipinos remain upbeat about Gilas Pilipinas’ coming campaign in the 2014 Fiba-World Cup in Spain.
Leading basketball personalities who stayed awake until the wee hours of Tuesday to personally witness the broadcast of the tournament draw live from Barcelona all expressed optimism about the country’s bid to at least get past the preliminary of the August 30 to Sept. 14 meet in the social networking site Twitter.
Gilas Pilipinas assistant coach Josh Reyes and San Mig Super Coffee deputy coach and former national team player Jeff Cariaso both said preparation will play a major factor in the Philippines first appearance back in the quadrennial meet after a 35-year absence.
Reyes, son of national coach Chot Reyes, and Cariaso stressed the point shortly after learning Gilas Pilipinas has been bunched in Group \B along with powerhouse Argentina, Greece, Croatia, Puerto Rico, and Senegal.
it's all about the preparation now. good night.
Who said it's going to be easy?! We know our bracket, let's prepare and show the world Filipino Pride
Gilas Pilipinas stalwart Jimmy Alapag meanwhile, felt proud about the Philippines being one of only 24 teams seeing action in the quadrennial meet where Team USA is the defending champion.
“@_jamesvelasquez: Still so surreal that we're once again on the world basketball stage. #Puso Hey #GilasPlipinas boys who's up?!” ?
Aware how tough it is going up against the likes of the Argentines, Croatians, Greek, and Puerto Ricans are in the biggest basketball stage in the world, the Alaska duo of Dondon Hontiveros and Paolo Bugia took the matter on a lighter side as both said Gilas members LA Tenorio and Alapag can match up well with Puerto Rico team’s JJ Barea and Carlos Arroyo.
Kayang kaya postehan ni @LA_Tenorio si Barea!
dondon hontiveros @dhonts7 1h
“@bugs_21: Kayang kaya postehan ni @LA_Tenorio si Barea!” And tatalunin ni alapag si arroyo sa shootout ????
Finally, former Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio stressed the groupings doesn’t matter now and instead, urged the Nationals to just show the way how great basketball players Filipinos are.
Butch Antonio @BAAntonio 2 hrs
Doesn't matter what group we are in! Let's give them hell guys! #LabanPilipinas #GilasPlipinas #Puso
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