So much will probably be driving on June Mar Fajardo (No. 15) and the Gilas Pilipinas bigs. —FIBA
Just a few days earlier than the Fiba (Worldwide Basketball Federation) World Cup kicks off, Chot Reyes and Gilas Pilipinas obtained a really feel of what competitors within the match would really feel like.
“This recreation actually made us really feel that we’re right here, we’re within the World Cup,” Reyes stated after the Philippines dropped a 102-87 match in opposition to World No. 18 Montenegro late Sunday. “The sort of group we’re taking part in—they’ve been with a group for a very long time, with nice expertise and all the things else: Easy system offensively and defensively.”
The Montenegrins’ victory halted a three-game successful run of Gilas Pilipinas heading into the World Cup that kicks off on Friday, however Reyes stated there was a lot to take from the sport because the group prepares to battle in opposition to a number of the world’s finest squads.
“I like how we competed with them your entire first half. We simply had a letdown defensively in that third quarter and … that’s why we play these video games—to know what else we will enhance on,” Reyes stated in a dispatch launched by the nationwide federation on Monday.
The 2 groups have been neck and neck for the primary two durations at PhilSports Enviornment till a third-quarter Montenegro fightback led by Chicago Bulls heart Nikola Vucevic and naturalized guard Kendrick Perry.
And that’s one lesson Reyes is hoping was seared within the minds of his expenses.
“After we began the third quarter with three straight turnovers after which [Montenegro made] … an 8-0 run, that turned the tide,” he identified.
“After we give good, high quality groups like Montenegro momentum, a lead like that’s going to be very, very onerous to recuperate. Only a transient letdown and also you see what occurs,” he added.
Extra contributions
Jordan Clarkson led the best way with 27 factors, June Mar Fajardo chipped in 19 and Dwight Ramos 13, however their performances alone didn’t assist Gilas prolong the successful streak they began placing collectively throughout a pocket match in China.
And they’re going to want greater than the trio’s contributions in opposition to tall and athletic groups like Group A foes the Dominican Republic and Italy, which is why Reyes is hoping that he might get manufacturing from his complete squad.
“Our bigs actually have their work lower out [for themselves],” he stated. “They need to work on penetration, they’ve to guard the rim and nonetheless be capable to come out, shut out on their males—the bigs—after they’re taking pictures from the surface.”
“But it surely’s not completely their duty, their teammates have to have the ability to assist as nicely and rotate to have the ability to shut these guys down,” he added.
Gilas had another likelihood to use tweaks in an in-game setting by a pleasant in opposition to No. 31 Mexico, a facet that boasts velocity, explosiveness and a bevy of taking pictures threats.
The 12 Guerreros are coming off wins over Egypt and Lebanon—one in all Gilas’ rivals for the lone Olympic Video games berth for Asian groups. INQ
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