LONGER preparation and quality tune-up matches will spell the big difference in Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the FIBA World Cup set August 25 to Sept. 10, just like in 2014 when the charges of coach Chot Reyes gave a good account of themselves in Spain.
“In the end, that’s really going to be determined by how well we can prepare, how well we can get together, play together, and how many quality tune-up games we can get before the actual World Cup,” Reyes said. “I think that’s what’s going to be the most important because that’s what we were able to do in 2014. We were able to put up a good tune-up preparation schedule.
“When it came World Cup time in 2014, we were playing at a very high level, so hopefully, we can get to that level as well,” he added.
Reyes spoke after the official draw for the world cage spectacle last Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum where Gilas was drawn with Italy, Dominican Republic, and Angola in Group A.
With three months left before the World Cup gets going, Gilas set foot yesterday at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba as part of its build up for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia and the World Cup.
The nationals will leave the country on May 6 raring to regain the gold in Cambodia – the medal that matters most to Filipinos who treat the sport like a religion.
For the World Cup, Reyes is opting to form the “best team” and not a squad with sheer talent.
“We’re not picking the best talent, we’re picking the best team,” Reyes said.
“We’re putting the best team together, not just a group of superstars. We want to pick the best team possible.”
Gilas, then under tactician Yeng Guiao, lost to Italy (62-108) and Angola in overtime (81-84) in the World Cup four years ago in China.
With strategist Tab Baldwin calling the shots, the Filipino cagers fell to the Dominican Republic 67-94 in the Olympic qualifying tournament in 2021.
Reyes insisted his charges need to bring their A-game against the Italians and Angolans.
“Well, it goes both ways. We know them, they know us as well. So, there’s going to be a few surprises,” he said. “No. 10, No. 23, No. 41. I think that’s the best way to describe it.
Italy is No. 10 in the world, and the Dominican Republic is No. 23. We’re basically tied with Angola at 40 and 41.”
