GILAS Pilipinas paid a dear price for its wobbly start in the tourney.
The Philippine five clashed with top seed and defending champion Australia at press time last night in a knockout quarterfinal match in the FIBA Asia Cup.
National coach Tim Cone admitted every team’s title chances in the tough 16-squad field hinge largely on hurdling the fancied Boomers, who have not lost a single game since joining the meet eight years ago.
It’s just too early to face the Aussies at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, according to Cone.
“We kept our eye on them. Just we didn’t expect to play them this early in the tournament, losing our first two games so that’s got us here,” Cone said. “But we figured that if we’re going to do something special in this tournament, you have to go to Australia at some point.
“So, it’s here in front of us. We’re going to do our best and get at them,” he added.
But the Pinoy dribblers should be all the more motivated to spring a surprise on their favored foes.
They stunned New Zealand in a qualifier match last year in Manila—four months after pulling the rug from world No. 6 Latvia in the Olympic qualifying tournament.
Gilas also went into the tiff last time on a high, having scored two do-or-die victories at the expense of Iraq (66-57) over the weekend and against the host Saudis 95-88 last Tuesday.
“This will be my first time so, I’m excited about it. We know that they are pretty much the No. 1 seed in the tournament and for us to beat them, it’s going to be an upset,” Cone said.
“Winning the games against Iraq and Saudi Arabia has supplied us with some momentum. So hopefully we can carry that against Australia.”
Playmaker CJ Perez was ruled out by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas for Gilas’ no tomorrow battle while wingman Calvin Oftana was doubtful.
“The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas wishes a speedy recovery for CJ Perez and Calvin Oftana after they suffered sprained ankles in our last two games here in Jeddah. We appreciate their selflessness and willingness to serve, jumping right to Gilas duties after competing in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals,” the SBP said in a statement.
“Thank you for your service. We’ll continue to battle for you.”
That pretty sums up Gilas’ campaign—lots of adversities gnawing at the team—and a monumental win last night will surely turn the tide.
