CONSISTENTY needed.
That should be the collective mindset when Gilas Pilipinas clashes with Egypt early morning today in the Doha International Friendly Basketball Championship at the Qatar University Sports and Events Complex.
The Philippine five launched its drive in the four-nation joust with a come-from-behind 74-71 victory over Qatar last Saturday behind the exploits of naturalized star Justin Brownlee.
But Gilas stumbled to a 54-75 loss to Lebanon early yesterday at the same venue.
For coach Tim Cone, the Doha tourney, whatever the result, should work wonders in their preparations for the FIBA Asia Cup set in August in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“The (Doha) pocket tournament is not really a preparation for Taiwan and New Zealand. They’re actually a preparation for the FIBA Asia, which we have qualified for in August (last year),” Cone said. “I mean, again, we know how tough going to be playing Qatar at home. Playing one of our nemesis in Lebanon and then playing an African team like Egypt, which played in the World Cup, had that experience of playing in the World Cup.
“So, it’s going to be a tough, tough tournament. But like I said, we wanted to make it tough and I should say that it’s tougher because we don’t have Kai (Sotto),” he added.
The Filipino cagers also held a two-day training at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna as they reconvened after three months.
After the meet, Gilas will return to Manila for a brief respite before traveling to Chinese Taipei for a game against the host team on Feb. 20 and proceeding to Auckland for a highly-anticipated rematch with New Zealand three days later.
Gilas shows the way in Group B with a perfect 4-0 card and has already qualified for the Asia Cup.
There are just no-bearing games and time to put their feet off the pedal especially since Gilas is eyeing to do the Mission Impossible—reach the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
