Game today:
(Philsports Arena)
7:30 p.m. — Philippines vs Chinese Taipei
After crushing Hong Kong, Gilas Pilipinas aims to have another strong performance when it battles an old foe in Chinese Taipei in the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers tonight at the Philsports Arena.
Game time is at 7:30 p.m. with the Filipinos looking to use their 94-64 win over Hong Kong as an advantage in sweeping the first window of this prestigious event that serves as a gateway to the FIBA Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia next year.
With the hometown crowd at its side, Gilas Pilipinas is tipped to go all out against a Taiwanese squad that it has already faced several times in the international stage.
Their most unforgettable battle happened 11 years ago when the Taiwanse defeated the Filipinos, 84-79 in the 2013 FIBA ASIA Championship in Manila. Gilas, however, recovered and went on to beat South Korea in the semifinals to clinch the silver medal and book a historic trip to the 2014 FIBA World Championship in Spain.
Gilas Pilipinas, which used to be a guard-oriented team back then, had already evolved as it addressed its lack of size with length and athleticism that allows it to match-up well with bigger teams.
The squad back then was bannered by the deadly duo of Jimmy Alapag and Jayson Castro but now has taller, more athletic stars like 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto, 6-foot-9 Japeth Aguilar, 6-foot-8 Kevin Quiambao, 6-foot-7 Carl Tamayo and a pair of 6-foot-5 wingers in Jamie Malonzo and Calvin Oftana.
With such an advantage, Gilas is expected to come up with a good fight against the Taiwanese, who fell prey to New Zealand in the first game of the first window, 69-89.
Still, the biggest factor for Gilas is the crowd support.
After clinching a historic gold medal in the 19th Asian Games and having the country’s most popular mentor and import in Tim Cone and Justin Brownlee as spearheads, there is no doubt that Gilas had completely won the hearts and minds of the Filipinos.
“That’s the biggest advantage that we have over other teams,” Gilas coach Tim Cone, the Barangay Ginebra mentor who is regarded as the most successful coach in the history of the Philippine Basketball Association with 25 titles.
“No matter where we play, there’s always a crowd that is going to be there behind us cheering. We know that they have to spend their hard-earned money to watch us and we truly appreciate that.”
Also expected to generate attention is the return of Brownlee, who will be playing at home for the first time since testing positive for a banned substance that prompted him to sit out for three months.
Adored by fans for his numerous heroic performances in Gilas jersey, Brownlee is expected to put on a show as a way of showing his gratitude for the love and support being showered on him.
“He’s the lifeblood of this team,” Cone said.
“We’re happy that he’s back and we think he will play better against Taiwan as we go forward. He has that history, he has that pedigree already.”
Brownlee said he couldn’t wait to perform before the Filipinos.
“Just coming in here to practice, seeing the guys, especially the young guys, they come in with a lot of energy,” he said.
“But just being in the country and being around the basketball atmosphere, I think it was a great and huge relief.”
“In due time, I’m gonna be a lot better. I’m a little bit older, but I still believe I’ve got a lot left in the tank.”
