ASIDE from determining Gilas Pilipinas’ foes in the group stage of the FIBA World Cup, coach Chot Reyes also keenly observed how the draw went for the other Asian teams three nights ago at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
To his dismay, the road to the Paris Olympics just got tougher for the Filipino cagers.
“I am also looking at the other groups because it’s important that our other Asian competitors are in tough groups because the best Asian team is the one that will go to the Olympics,” Reyes said. “As much as I am looking at our group, I was also looking at what the other Asian teams drew as well because that’s what’s gonna determine who is the best placed Asian team.
“Remember, our objective here is to get to the Olympics in 2024. That’s the goal. That’s the dream,” he added.
China was drawn in Group B with Serbia, Puerto Rico, and South Sudan, while Iran was bracketed in Group G with Spain, Brazil, and Cote D’Ivoire.
Reyes is convinced China and Iran could score wins in their groups.
“I think China is in a pretty good group, with South Sudan, and Iran drew Ivory Coast,” Reyes said. “I think those are the teams they can beat.”
In contrast, Gilas was drawn with Italy, Dominican Republic, and Angola in Group A of the blue-ribbon world cage spectacle set August 25 to Sept. 10 at home soil.
Reyes admitted he hoped for a better result from the draw but said everything was just fine.
“This is the World Cup so there’s no such thing as an easy draw. But the best way that I can categorize it, it’s not ideal but it could have been better,” Reyes said.
“I would have hoped that the last pick was Ivory Coast instead of Angola because I thought Angola was the tougher team. Not that Ivory Coast is weak by any means. But other than that, it is what it is.”
Gilas, then under strategist Yeng Guiao, fell to Italy (62-108) and Angola in overtime (81-84) in the World Cup in China in 2019.
With tactician Tab Baldwin handling the squad, the nationals lost to the Dominican Republic 67-94 in the Olympic qualifying tournament two years ago.
Reyes is hoping his wards could spring some surprises in the World Cup to qualify for the Olympics for the first time since 1972.
“Mahirap na mahirap. Very, very tough,” he said. “Hopefully, we can get a win or two in this World Cup to give us a chance to qualify for the Olympics.”
