Gilas battles Jordan and shoots to finish qualifying campaign with a flourish

June Mar Fajardo (No. 15) will remain the only real center for Gilas against Jordan. — AUGUST DELA CRUZ

A terrible record, a big win against an old tormentor and an unselfish play that had opposing fans—and coaches—roaring last Friday as Gilas Pilipinas tried to put the finishing touches on Fiba (International Basketball Federation) glory. World Cup Asian Qualifying Campaign Monday.

national coach Chot Reyes has wiped the slate clean ahead of the clash waiting in the Philippine Arena where they host the revenge of Jordan, which is high in the new victory on the road that means a free ride to the main event.

“I don’t think about it. My focus is just to prepare the team for Jordan,” Reyes told the Inquirer when asked if he felt Jordan would play casually in the 6 p.m. game.

After all, the Philippines has never had it easy, even though the country has automatically qualified as a cohost, choosing to prepare hard and play harder just to please this cage-crazy nation every time.

Off wins big

With a 6-3 slate, Gilas will look to stand no chance against the Falcons, who will be led by naturalized player Dar Tucker and spitfire guard Freddie Ibrahim.

After leading the Philippines to an impressive 107-96 victory over Lebanon three nights ago, Reyes will tap young Kevin Quiambao to replace Calvin Oftana on the final roster for Jordan as the coaching staff continues to scour the pool to find out who is the best. with which for the main showcase in August.

In the gun for a fifth straight win, Reyes has been practicing with a different lineup each time.

With Quiambao, Gilas has strengthened the front line and strengthened the playmaking ability that should test Jordan’s 5-4, which will be against a crew that is very similar to the one used in the loss to the Philippines, 74-66, in November.

There will be an absence, however, as Jordan leaves 6-foot-11 Ahmad Al Dwairi, who finished with 18 points in the previous meeting, at home. Al Dwairi has been the team’s top rebounder and second most efficient player so far.

For SEAG, Asiad

A win by Gilas should help Reyes and the cage leader turn the squad’s shaky start into a distant thing of the past.

But more importantly, it should also be the basis for continuous development aimed at global shows and other international competitions such as the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Cambodia and the Asiad (Asian Games) in China.

“We want to have a core group of guys who know each other, who understand the system, and then put some guys in there and then see, maybe in the final iteration of the roster come August. Hopefully, we will have a team the best is not the best collection of individual talents, but the best team,” Reyes said in a previous interview. INQ

Read Next

Don’t miss the latest news and information.

For suggestions, complaints, or questions, please contact us.