GILAS Pilipinas mainstay Ranidel de Ocampo said the team was not intimidated by the monster numbers put up by two-time champion Iran in its Fiba-Asia championships debut against Malaysia on Thursday.
“Hindi naman naming masyado dinidibdib 'yun. Magiging negative pa sa amin kung iisipin at lalaruin namin sa utak yung naging panalo nila,” de Ocampo said after Iran racked up a cricket score in a 115-25 win over the hapless Malaysians at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Saka kahit naman siguro itong Gilas na ito ang lalaban sa Malaysia, I’m sure tambakan rin. Kasi yung amateur team nga natin sa Seaba, pinapahirapan sila,” he added.
“Pero sabi nga ni coach, hindi muna namin pagtutuunan ng pansin ang Iran - kahit ang Jordan at Chinese-Taipei, kasi ang focus namin ngayon is Saudi Arabia.”
The sweet shooting Talk 'N Text star said the whole team failed to watch Iran’s romp since it had a one-hour shootaround at the Treston Gym at The Fort at the time of the Iran-Malaysia match.
The Philippine team plays Saudi Arabia to open its campaign late Thursday.
“Nag-practice kasi kami kanina. Kaya hindi namin napanood,” said the Cavite native.
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