Gilas Pilipinas is facing taller, stronger and well-experienced teams in the initial stage of the FIBA World Cup.
For sure, it will be an uphill battle for Gilas to get through Group A squaring off against the Dominican Republic, Angola and World No. 10 Italy.
But while the Filipinos are considered the underdogs, their foes expressed high respect for the Chot Reyes-mentored crew that will be backed by tens of thousands of loud and passionate home crowd.
In fact, they know that taking on Gilas won’t be an easy task.
“We know the Filipinos, they are good shooters. When they play locally, they step up their level, but everything is about concentration for us,” said Dominican Republic head coach Nestor Garcia.
The Dominicans led by National Basketball Association star Karl-Anthony Towns are the first to test the mettle of Gilas when they march to the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bulacan Friday.
“There will be many people in the game. In this country, they love basketball and they support the team, but we are focused that when you play good, you can play and win everywhere,” he added.
With Utah Jazz standout Jordan Clarkson and a youthful 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto at the helm for Gilas, hopes are high for the Filipinos to better their dismal winless and last-placed finish out of 32 nations in the World Cup four years ago in China.
Angola head coach Josep Claros believes his wards are in for a long night against a much-improved Gilas siden on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Well, the Philippines is a very athletic team compared to the past,” he said.
It’s also clear to Claros that Clarkson will be his team’s biggest obstacle. The energy and impact he brings into Gilas, aside from his scoring, is a concern.
“(Gilas) have a lot of guys that can shoot, excellent shooters. They have a beast in Clarkson that, obviously, gonna give a lot of 20 points and all of these, he can shoot and he’s a scorer,” Claros said.
And then there’s the Filipino fans.
“They play at home, they will have the (crowd) support and we know it’s gonna be a tough game,” the Spanish tactician said.
“But it will be tough for them too. I guarantee that this is gonna be a good game to watch.”
The Italians, on the other hand, want to focus first in their first two games but when their scheduled Tuesday match against Gilas comes, they expect nothing but an all-out war.
“From the little experience I have, we focus on one game at a time, and our focus is on Angola,” Italy coach Gianmarco Pozzecco said.
Italy opens its campaign against Angola today also at the Philippine Arena.
“In two days, we will think about the Philippines. But of course, they’re a very good team. They’ll be tough. Lots of fans, rowdy fans, noisy fans.”
Gilas seeks to replicate if not surpass their 21st finish in the 2014 Spain edition.
In Gilas’ first World Cup stint since 1978, the Filipinos won their last game in the group stage against Senegal in overtime.
