THE Gilas Pilipinas Women, big in talent and bigger in heart, continued to exceed expectations in the FIBA 3X3 Asia Cup 2024, blasting their way through the main draw and advancing to the knockout quarterfinals against Chinese Taipei on Sunday, March 31, at the Singapore Sports Hub.
The Philippines has won its first five assignments – three in the qualifying round and two in the preliminaries – to make it to the round of 8 versus an opponent which dragged China into overtime in the main draw before bowing 11-9 on Good Friday, March 29. A victory earns either team passage to the semifinal round.
Following dominant wins over Tahiti (21-3), Maldives (19-11) and Kazakhstan (21-12) in the qualifying draw, the Filipino cagebelles were primed for crucial preliminary round matches against Mongolia and Malaysia.
And they didn’t disappoint.
Behind the 11 points of Jhazmin Joson, who buried four beyond-the-arc 2-pointers, and the strong rebounding of Kaye Pingol and Camille Clarin, who had six each, Gilas Pilipinas downed touted Mongolia 19-8 for its fourth consecutive win. Pingol added 5 points in the effort which saw Nationals opening a 5-0 lead and never looking back.
It was 10-3 at the 5-minute mark and 17-7 with 2:06 left on Pingol’s double. Joson’s free throw sealed the win with 13 seconds remaining.
The game against Malaysia basically went through the same route.
Racing to a 5-1 lead, the Philippines, behind a more balanced scoring, gained some separation halfway through for a comfortable fifth straight win 17-10 and a ticket to the knockout round.
Joson had 6 points, Cacho and Pingol each had 4 and Clarin 3 with 6 rebounds. Pingol and Joson grabbed 4 caroms apiece.
Misfiring on 6 of 7 two-pointers, the Gilas Women turned on the heat within the rainbow arc, going 15 of 26 from inside as the Malaysians committed 13 turnovers, 8 more than the Filipinas, providing Gilas more possessions.
Eric Altamirano, Gilas Women head coach and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas 3X3 program chief, underscored the importance of what lies directly ahead for Gilas.
“We’re thrilled with our victories against the tough and experienced teams from Mongolia and Malaysia,” said Altamirano. “Now, our focus shifts to Chinese Taipei, who put up a strong fight against China in the main draw. It’s time to maintain our focus and give it our all in the upcoming match in the quarterfinals.”
Gilas Women assistant coach Mark Solano bared the Nationals were extra motivated going to the Mongolia game.
“When we were preparing for our game vs the Mongolians, the (PH) ladies were all pumped up especially when they learned that there are two Olympians on that team,” said Solano. “It added fuel to their fire. Kaya nung pag-check ball pa lang and we blazed into a 5-0 start, the ladies never looked back. Doon nagulat din ang Mongolia with our speed, toughness and yung pagiging pesky natin sa defense. Sobrang big factor din that we are making our 2-pt shots.”
Gilas’ familiarity with the Malaysian style, Solano said, went to the Filipinas’ favor in their next game.
“During the Malaysia game, we knew them already kasi we had a lot of tune-ups with them when they went to Manila,” he said.
All five victories are in the rearview mirror now, however.
Standing in the way of a semifinal appearance for Gilas Pilipinas is Chinese-Taipei, which led China 8-6 late in regulation of their main draw showdown before it went into overtime.
The Taiwanese were then hanging on 9-all with 1:32 remaining in the extra period but China came through with a basket and a free throw down the stretch to savor the tough win.
“As we prepare for Chinese Taipei, we told the ladies to just stick to what we are doing, the process of what we are doing,” Solano said of the forthcoming knockout game. “We’re going to have some adjustments kaya non-stop scouting kami ng mga coaches.”
Chinese Taipei, which edged Hong Kong 19-17 and crushed Iran 21-10 in the qualifying draw, beat host Singapore 18-8 in the main draw to set up the do-or-die with the Philippines.
HANGZHOU — Jordan and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson ended Gilas Pilipinas’ winning run in the 19th Asian Games on Saturday, September 30, sweeping Group C of the preliminaries, 87-62, and securing an outright berth to the quarterfinals at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center.
The loss threw Gilas into a minefield, its first setback after hard-earned wins over Bahrain and Thailand shoving the Nationals to a knockout game against Group D No. 3 placer Qatar on Monday, October 2, at 4 p.m. for a seat in the quarters.
Jordan, meanwhile, set up a quarterfinal showdown with either Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia or Kazakhstan on Tuesday, October 3, for one of four semifinal berths.
A victory by Gilas over Qatar, which downed Indonesia, 74-67, in a do or die earlier, would put the Nationals in the rampaging path of Asian powerhouse Iran in the quarterfinals.
Only then can the Philippines think about Japan, which shocked South Korea earlier, 83-77, on the strength of 17 three-point explosions.Iran had swept Group A, completing its dominance in the preliminaries by brushing off Kazakhstan 86-60, on Saturday.
Gilas never had Jordan at its mercy. But it valiantly rallied from 42-29 at halftime to level twice, the second at 52-all on a CJ Perez drive with 1:14 left in the third quarter.
But just as quickly, the Jordanians, behind Holiis-Jefferson (25 points), point guard Fadi Ibrahim (24), Ahmad Al Dwairi (22) and shooter Sami Bzai (17), settled the ship and broke away with 13 unanswered points extending to the fourth quarter.
Jordan shot 52 percent from the floor (32 of 61), while Gilas floundered with 33 percent shooting (24 of 72), its offense bogged down by 20 missed triples.The first half gave an indication of how the game would turn out.
An 11-0 Jordan run from 19-all in the second quarter appeared to take the fight out of Gilas, which trailed 42-29 at the half.
The Nationals struggled to find their rhythm but couldn’t as they failed to convert open looks at the basket, shooting 8 of 23 (35 percent) in the first 20 minutes.In the first quarter alone, the Jordans easily erased a 13-6 Gilas lead as Scottie Thompson, CJ Perez, Japeth Aguilar and Ange Kouame combined for 0 of 8 in the opening 10 minutes.
At the half, Perez remained mired at 0 of 4 from the field, Kouame 1 of 5, Aguilar 1 of 5 and Calvin Oftana 0 of 4.Gilas missed 11 of 13 three-point attempts.Only Justin Brownlee and June Mar Fajardo escaped the shooting funk, with Brownlee playing without relief in the first half and scoring 14 points while Fajardo had six.
Brownlee finished with 24 points and was the only Gilas player in double figures.
Jordan, in contrast, hit 10 of 18 of its two-point shots and 5 of 13 beyond the 3-point arc in the first two quarters.
Ibrahim ran rings around the defense with 9 points behind the 11 of Hollis-Jefferson, who had 11 points, and John Bohannon 10.
Hollis-Jefferson matched Brownlee’s length of stay in the first half and was 3 of 8 from the floor with five assists and five rebounds. He hit a buzzer-beating jumper before the intermission.
Ibrahim nailed a similar buzzer-beater — a trey — f to shatter a 13-all tie in the first quarter.
The Nationals had their finest moment in the third quarter, putting together a stirring comeback that wiped out a 13-point deficit to tie, 48-all, on a Brownlee basket, and 52-52 courtesy of a Perez slasher.
Jordan then took over.
The scores:
Jordan (87) – Hollis-Jefferson 24, Ibrahim 17, Bzai 12, Al-Dwairi 10, Bohannon 10, Hussein 7, Alhamarsheh 5, Alhenda 2, Abbas 0, Qarmash 0, Alhammouri 0.
Philippines (62) – Brownlee 24, Thompson 11, Aguilar 8, Fajardo 8, Perez 5, Kouame 4, Lassiter 2, Oftana 0, Ross 0, Newsome 0, Tolentino 0.
QS: 16-13, 42-29, 59-52, 87-62.
HANGZHOU – Gilas men’s 3×3 team eked out a thrilling 15-14 win over Kazakhstan to reach the quarterfinals of the 19th Asian Games on Saturday at the Deqing Geographic Information Park Basketball Court.
Alvin Pasaol led the Philippine quartet with five points including a driving basket with 20 seconds to play that gave the team a 15-13 edge.
Ramazan Samsin made it a 15-14 contest later, before a Justin Sanchez turnover opened the door for the Kazakhs to turn the outcome around.
But Bogdan Rabchenyuk missed a potential game-winning deuce as JB Sajonia secured the rebound and preserved the win for the Filipinos.
Bismarck Lina and Sanchez had four points apiece, while Sajonia had two to round up the scoring for Gilas, which fell in the classification for quarterfinals after losing its final game in the group stage against Mongolia.
The Filipinos now face South Korea in the knockout stage set late Saturday night.
Other quarterfinal pairings will have Mongolia going up against Iran, Qatar opposite Japan, and host China meeting Chinese Taipei.
Mongolia, Qatar, China, and Korea all earned outright quarterfinal berths, while Iran, Japan, and Chinese Taipei all had to go through the classification for quarterfinals to advance just like the Philippines.
Iran turned back India, 19-17, Japan routed Macao, 21-12, and Chinese Taipei edged Indonesia, 19-17.
HANGZHOU – The Philippine men’s 3×3 team moved on the verge of completing a sweep of its Pool A assignment in the 19th Asian Games after carving out a 21-15 win over Hong Kong on Wednesday at the Deqing Geographic Information Park Basketball Court.
John Ray Pasaol and Bismarck Lina accounted for more than half of the team’s output in its third straight win in their group.
Lina and Pasaol had seven points each while presiding over a short but telling run that turned the game around in favor of the Filipinos.
Held to a 4-4 standoff, the two sparked four straight points by the Gilas team to take the lead for good at 8-4.
Justin Sanchez and JB Sajonia finished with four and three points, respectively.
Despite already being assured of advancing in the quarterfinal qualifications, Gilas wants nothing but an outright berth in the knockout stage, which it can clinched with a win over Mongolia on Friday for a sweep of the group stage.
“Yun ang gusto namin. Win as many games,” said head coach Lester Del Rosario.
Gilas will take a needed rest on Thursday.
After the Philippines, running second in Group A is Chinese Taipei (2-1), Mongolia (1-1), Jordan (0-2) and Hong Kong (0-2).
The top team in each group will automatically earn a quarterfinal slot, while the next two teams will make it to the qualifications where the four other quarterfinalists will be determined.
HANGZHOU – Gilas Pilipinas meant business right away and routed Bahrain, 89-61, to kick off its 19th Asian Games campaign on a rousing note Tuesday at the HOC Olympic Stadium.
Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame presided over a second quarter breakaway that paved the way for the national team to sit on a 51-33 lead at the break.
Brownlee finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds in his first stint in the continental meet, while Ange Kouame came through with 15 in the 28-point victory that put Gilas on top of Pool C along with Jordan, a 97-63 winner over Thailand on the same day.
Coach Tim Cone was quick to put behind the victory, stressing the need to prepare for Tyler Lamb and the rest of the Thais, who will be Gilas’ next opponent on Thursday.
“We didn’t play Thailand in the Southeast Asian Games. But we saw them in the SEA Games, but we’re not matched up against them. They were knocked out by Cambodia,” said Cone of the Thais.
Gilas led by as much as 34 points late in the game.
CJ Perez, one of five replacement players finally given the go-signal to play hours before game time, finished with 15 points, and Calvin Oftana was the other player in double figure for Gilas with 14.
Along with Perez, Cone opted to put on the floor the four other last-minute inclusions in Kevin Alas, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross, and Arvin Tolentino when the game was already in the bag in order to give them a feel of the Gilas system after just joining the team a week heading to the Asiad.
“That was important for us to get that extra time. The five guys are still feeling their way around. And again, those are the guys who we’re gonna depend on as they decide how far we go,” said the Gilas coach.
Former PBA import Wayne Chism was held to just five points as Jameel Almoathin showed the way for Bahrain with 14 points. (ai/mnm)
Image Courtesy of Spin.ph
HANGZHOU – The real test begins for Gilas Pilipinas Tuesday when it makes its highly-anticipated debut in the 19th Asian Games.
And what a battle for coach Tim Cone and the Philippine team it will be.
The all-pro unit takes on a Bahrain side which Cone describes as a ‘challenge’ against a team that has faced major adversities in the last two weeks leading to the continental showpiece.
“I think they are going to be a challenge out there,” the most accomplished coach in PBA history said of Bahrain.
The match is set at 1:30 p.m. at the Zijingang University inside the Zhejiang University.
It’s business as usual for the national team despite not hearing a word yet from the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (HAGOC) regarding the fate of late inclusions Kevin Alas, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross, Mo Tautuaa, and CJ Perez.
Gilas held a film viewing on Monday and then held practice at the Dongzan Arena Olympic Sports Shop for the second straight time since arriving Sunday.
Bahrain, which joins the Philippines, Thailand, and Jordan in Group C, is coming off a rousing campaign in the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Damascus, Syria last month where it emerged undefeated in five matches.
As champion of the meet, it became the first country to secure a berth in the Qualifying Tournament for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Former PBA import Dwayne Chism is at the forefront of Bahrain’s campaign, along with Mustafa Rashed, and Muzamil Ameer Hamooda.
All of these are not lost on Cone and his coaching staff.
“They are going to pose some problems because they shoot the ball really well. They put a lot of pressure out there. They are not a big team which is unusual for a Middle East team,” noted the Gilas mentor.
“Usually, Middle East teams are really big, but they (Bahrain) are a little different, that they are quick and they can shoot.”
After Bahrain, Thailand bannered by Tyler Lamb, and the Rondae Hollis-Jefferson-led Jordan are up next for Gilas. (AI/MNM)
TIM Cone, the interim coach of Gilas, is maintaining faith in the four replacements: Chris Ross, CJ Perez, Arvin Tolentino, and Kevin Alas.
The national team is set to depart for Hangzhou, China, where they will commence their pursuit of the gold medal in the 19th Asian Games.
The Philippine team wrapped up their practice on Saturday, September 23, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig, working to integrate Ross and his fellow PBA veterans into the system, despite their recent arrival just last Tuesday.
“We’re sticking with our current roster unless we receive different instructions,” Cone said after the team’s final practice in Manila. “If circumstances change, we’ll make decisions accordingly.”
Any future adjustments will largely hinge on the final decision of the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee concerning the eligibility of Calvin Abueva, Moala Tautuaa, Terrence Romeo, and Jason Perkins.
These players were not part of the original 60-man list or the subsequent 37-man list submitted before the deadline.
Ross, Perez, Tolentino, and Alas, together with Marcio Lassiter, who is filling in for the injured Roger Pogoy, participated in Gilas’ sole tune-up game against the Korean club Changwon LG Sakers last Friday.
Gilas held a lead of up to 13 points but saw it slip away in the third quarter. The team ultimately relied on timely baskets from naturalized player Justin Brownlee to secure an 86-81 victory against the Sakers at the Philsports Arena.
Cone acknowledged that the inclusion of Ross and the three other replacements could alter the team’s dynamics, as they lack the size of Abueva, Tautuaa, Perkins, and Romeo. Nonetheless, he remains hopeful that these changes will provide Gilas with a fresh perspective as they aim to perform well and, ideally, put an end to the country’s 61-year gold medal drought in the Asian Games.
It’s worth noting that Cone was the last coach to guide the Philippines to a podium finish, securing a bronze medal for the Philippine Centennial team in the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games in Thailand.
In the 2018 edition held in Jakarta, Indonesia, the Philippine team, under coach Yeng Guiao’s leadership, finished in fifth place despite the last-minute addition of NBA star Jordan Clarkson and the core players from Rain or Shine. (ai/mnm)
Team Gilas PIlipinas (Photo credits: ABS-CBN News)
With barely a week to further hone team cohesion and everything, Gilas Pilipinas has shifted its training base to the Inspire Sports Academy as it embarks on the critical phase of its preparations for the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
National team coach Tim Cone, along with the rest of the Philippine squad, commenced their training camp at the National University campus in Laguna on Saturday morning, immediately diving into rigorous practice sessions later in the day.
Notable veterans, Terrence Romeo and June Mar Fajardo, were among the early arrivals at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba. Romeo, who last represented Gilas in 2018, is set to make his long-awaited return to the national team, having been a fan favorite since his inclusion in the squad in 2015.
He boasts two silver medals from his previous stints with Gilas, one from the 2015 FIBA Asia Championships in China and the other from the William Jones Cup in the same year.
On the other hand, Fajardo is rejoining the Philippines’ Blue and White squad immediately following his participation in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, where he averaged 6.6 points and 5.0 rebounds in five games against formidable international big men like Karl Anthony-Towns.
Coach Cone has devised a training regimen that includes two daily closed-door practice sessions, aiming to familiarize the Gilas players with his system, with only seven days left before the Games commence on September 23. He emphasized the importance of building a solid foundation and mastering the fundamentals of the game.
In a closed-door tune-up game at Inspire, Gilas will face off against the Meralco Bolts, followed by another tune-up against the Changwon LG Sakers at the Philsports Arena a day before the national team departs for China. Coach Cone stressed that, due to time constraints, practice sessions hold greater significance than friendly matches for team development. (AI/MNM)
MANILA – Despite securing just one victory in five matches during the recent FIBA World Cup, Gilas Pilipinas has shown resilience by ascending two spots in the FIBA world rankings, moving from 40th to 38th place.
In their final classification game on September 2nd, Gilas Pilipinas triumphed over China, ranked 27th globally, with a score of 96-75, in front of an overflowing crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
In a parallel development, the women’s team of Gilas received some encouraging news. FIBA announced on Wednesday night that the women’s team had jumped five places to 37th in the world, up from 42nd overall.
The remarkable sixth-place finish of the Gilas women’s team in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, which included a significant victory against Chinese Taipei to secure their first-ever quarterfinal appearance and a guaranteed place in Division A, proved to be the catalyst for this improvement.
Coach Pat Aquino of the Gilas women’s team expressed his satisfaction, saying, “We’ve come a long way, but we’re making progress. I’m delighted to see our efforts paying off. This is a testament to our program. I hope we can maintain this momentum and achieve even greater heights.”
Meanwhile, the FIBA World Cup outcomes resulted in significant changes in the men’s rankings.
Germany, the newly crowned world champion, made a remarkable ascent from 11th to third place during the sixth qualifying window.
Serbia, the silver medalist, climbed one spot to fifth in the world rankings, while Canada, the bronze medalist, surged nine spots to sixth.
Despite not securing a podium finish, Team USA reclaimed its position at the top of the world rankings. Spain, following a surprising early exit due to Canada’s comeback victory in their do-or-die second-round encounter, slipped to second place in the world rankings but still maintained Europe’s top spot despite Germany’s ascent.
The biggest winners, however, were Latvia and South Sudan.
Latvia, buoyed by a commendable fifth-place finish in their debut FIBA World Cup appearance, leaped an impressive 22 spots from 30th in February to eighth in the current rankings.
In contrast, South Sudan made the most significant leap, surging 32 places to 31st in the world. This accomplishment made them the top-ranked team in Africa after a successful FIBA World Cup campaign that secured their direct qualification for the Paris Olympics.
Japan, as the host team in the 2021 edition in Saitama, earned direct qualification to the Paris Olympics and moved up 11 places to 26th in the world rankings. It now holds the top position in continental Asia, ranking third in the Asia-Pacific region alongside Australia and New Zealand.
Despite the improvements in the world rankings, Gilas Pilipinas slipped to 8th place in the Asia-Pacific region. This was due to Lebanon’s remarkable 16-place surge, propelling them from 44th overall to 28th, and surpassing China and Jordan to claim fifth place in the region. Jordan, despite finishing at the bottom of the FIBA World Cup standings, climbed one spot to 32nd overall, while China dropped one spot to 29th. (ai/mnm)
Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo (Credits: ABS-CBN)
MANILA — Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo expressed his full confidence in Tim Cone, the interim coach of Gilas, for jthe nationals’ upcoming second stint in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
The 2023 Asiad is set to begin on Saturday, September 23, 2023 and ends on October 8.
Trillo, who once served as Cone’s assistant during their successful tenure at Alaska from 2000 to 2011, where they clinched four PBA titles, is well-acquainted with Cone’s coaching philosophy.
Trillo fondly recalls Cone’s previous experience coaching at the Asian Games in 1998 when the Philippines, then represented by the Centennial team, secured a bronze medal.
He vividly remembers facing China and Korea, two teams with distinct playing styles and tempos. In the quarterfinals, they fell to Korea, 103-83, and subsequently lost to the formidable Chinese team, 92-83, in the semifinals.
However, Cone and the Philippines rebounded in the bronze medal game, triumphing over Kazakhstan to secure the third-place finish.
Trillo is convinced that Cone will be even better prepared this time around. Despite potential time constraints and personnel challenges, Cone’s exposure to international games during the last World Cup has enhanced his familiarity with the nuances and rhythm of international competition, especially the frequent back-to-back games.
With decades of involvement in the sport, Trillo emphasizes the significance of team cohesion for success.
He stresses the importance of not relying solely on a single player and highlights the need for adaptability in terms of adjusting to the pace and size of different opponent teams.
Furthermore, Trillo acknowledges the significance of the return of Calvin Abueva and Terrence Romeo to the Gilas squad, believing their presence will be a substantial asset.
San Miguel Corp. Sports Director, Alfrancis Chua, acknowledges the formidable challenge ahead that is, securing the gold medal in the upcoming 19th Asian Games, set to unfold on September 23, 2023, in Hangzhou, China.
Chua is confident that the newly appointed Gilas Pilipinas coach, Tim Cone, will receive unwavering support from both the team and the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), despite the demanding task of preparing Gilas Pilipinas for the Asian Games in just two weeks.
“We recognize the difficulty of this undertaking, especially for Tim, considering the time constraints and player selection process, but we maintain a positive outlook,” Chua expressed during a press conference held last Thursday at the PBA headquarters in Libis, Quezon City.
Chua further emphasized Cone’s impeccable work ethic, stating, “I don’t need to motivate this individual; he’s been a fighter from the beginning.” Chua, renowned for orchestrating San Miguel Corporation’s PBA dominance, which resulted in the company’s three ball clubs securing 15 league championships since the 2016 season, attests to Cone’s commitment.
“From my experience, even when we’re leading by a significant margin, he continues to rotate players and insists on them executing both offensive and defensive plays. That’s the level of discipline he upholds,” Chua added.
Cone’s role as head coach for the Asian Games marks his return to coaching a team in the event since he last led the Philippine Centennial team to a bronze medal finish in the 1998 edition in Bangkok, Thailand.
Incidentally, this was the last time the Philippines clinched a basketball medal in the quadrennial games.
Assisting Cone in preparing the team for the Asian Games are Barangay Ginebra’s assistant coaches, Richard del Rosario and LA Tenorio, who is currently on leave as a player.
Jong Uichico and Josh Reyes are Cone’s deputy coaches. (ai/mnm)
MANILA — It’s confirmed.
Multi-titled coach Tim Cone will be at the helm for Gilas Pilipinas during the forthcoming Asian Games, slated to commence on September 23, 2023, in Hangzhou, China.
This announcement was made during a press conference held at the PBA head office in Libis on Thursday.
Tim Cone, who previously served as an assistant to Chot Reyes during Gilas’ 2023 FIBA World Cup campaign, will now take the lead while Richard Del Rosario, a trusted associate of Cone at Barangay Ginebra, will serve as his chief assistant for this new Philippines coaching role.
Completing the coaching staff will be Jong Uichico, Josh Reyes, and LA Tenorio.
Handling team management duties will be Alfranchis Chua, the sports director of San Miguel Corporation, with PBA commissioner Willie Marcial as his deputy.
Cone had previously expressed his intention to decline a head coach appointment with Gilas, but circumstances changed after Reyes stepped down shortly after the World Cup victory over China last Saturday.
“I joined the World Cup team because, aside from the obvious desire to contribute to the country, my primary motivation was to support my friend, Chot Reyes, who was the head coach,” Cone explained. “Furthermore, I sought the experience and personal growth of being part of the World Cup. It was truly a growth opportunity for me.
“However, given the tight timeframe, just two weeks before our next game, when Coach Al (Chua) approached me, we needed someone right away. I discussed it with Chot, and he gave me his blessing. He believed I was the right person for the job, and that has boosted my confidence.”
Both Cone and Panlilio clarified that this appointment is specifically for the Asian Games, with plans to chart Gilas’ long-term course afterward.
Regarding the Asian Games roster, Cone mentioned it’s still in the process of formation and added, “I don’t have the full picture at this point.” Nevertheless, he emphasized that players based in Japan and Korea will not be available.
Invitations have been extended to specific players, and the first practice session is scheduled for Monday. Cone stated that they won’t have a large pool but rather focus on selecting a concise 12-player squad.
Chua confirmed the inclusion of four players: “June Mar (Fajardo) is confirmed. Japeth (Aguilar) is on board. (Justin) Brownlee is in, and Scottie (Thompson) has secured his spot.”
Gilas is grouped with Jordan, Bahrain, and Thailand in the men’s 5×5 competition, commencing on September 26. (ai/mnm)
MANILA – Saving its best for last.
That’s what Gilas Pilipinas did opposite China last night in the Group Phase of the FIBA World Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With nothing to gain but an ounce of national pride, Gilas finally hit the right chords in turning back China, 96-75, before an appreciative hometown crowd at the Coliseum
Crucial for Gilas was a searing third-quarter attack led by Jordan Clarkson who blew the game wide open with successive triples to frustrate China.
Clarkson’s fourth hit from beyond the arc gave the Philippines a comfortable 23-point lead at 73-50 moments before the end of the third.
And with it, Gilas coach Chot Reyes gave Clarkson a breather through the first five minutes of play in the fourth canto.
Without Clarkson on the floor, Gilas Pilipinas even managed to push the lead further to 26 points at 83-57 with Rhenz Abando, Kai Sotto, and Scottie Thompson taking over the scoring chores.
Reyes fielded JC once more in the final 4:11 of play as China was visibly in the act of launching a counter-attack to turn the game around.
But a short five-point burst laced with a triple was all that China could do before Dwight Ramos capped the Nationals’ much-needed win with a mid-range jumper for the final count.
The Nationals’ first victory in five games in the biggest gathering of basketball greats of the world also came as a fitting birthday gift to Ramos who celebrated his 25th birthday hard at work on the court.
Ramos was born on September 2, 1998, in the United States in West Covina, California to Artemio Ramos from Ilocos Sur and Liliya Ramos from Russia.
Before Gilas faced China smarting a 0-4 win-loss slate, Congressman Joel Chua of the Third District of Manila, urban poor champion and sports advocate, extended his gratitude and admiration to the entire Gilas Pilipinas of their team effort in the FIBA World Cup but a lot of Filipinos, and the lawmaker himself, find it hard to hide their collective frustrations over Gilas’ 0-4 start.
“AJ Edu, Dwight Ramos, and Jordan Clarkson have consistently displayed exceptional skills on the court, deserving all the recognition they receive. Edu and Ramos, in particular, have showcased their talents to the world, including the NBA and various leagues in Europe and Asia,” Chua said.
“The Gilas head coach (Chot Reyes) mentioned that their goal had always been to secure a ticket to the Olympics. However, it seems that this goal didn’t fully resonate with fans. The reality is that the basketball prowess of the Gilas Pilipinas team has not yet reached the same level as the countries that advanced to Round 2 of the FIBA World Cup.”
A direct ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics through the FIBA conclave is already out of reach for Gilas Pilipinas.
However, with their recent blowout win over China, the national team might get an invitation to join two more Olympic Qualifying Tournaments before the 2024 Olympics, slated from July 26, 2024, to August 11, 2024, in Paris, France.
According to sports pundits, the second-best Asian team will be able to join the qualifying tournament with Japan as the best Asian team in the world cup to make it as they have a 2-2 win-loss slate.
China and Lebanon both have one win apiece against three losses.
Gilas, Iran and Jordan all are winless.
But now the Philippines just saved itself from falling into the predicament that befell Colombia in 1982, when the hosts were not able to win a single game.
“Gilas is not at the caliber of the teams that advanced to Round 2. This bitter truth needs to be accepted. Hence, Gilas found itself in classification games with teams that had a 0-3 win-loss record from Round 1,” Chua added.
He also said that “critiques from Filipino fans about perceived flawed decisions and subpar performances cannot be dismissed. While Pinoy fans may not be team owners or corporate sponsors, government subsidies for the national team primarily come from taxes and approved budgets. Although these subsidies are modest, they are largely funded by taxpayers.”
The lawmaker who is a lawyer by profession stressed that Pinoy basketball fans are taxpayers, which grants them the right to demand accountability from Gilas coaches, players, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
“Additionally, fans have invested their hard-earned money in purchasing expensive tickets to watch FIBA World Cup games live and subscribing to pay-per-view cable TV broadcasts.”
In ending, Chua said that “the nation requires a visionary and transparent development plan, as well as an action plan for the Paris Olympics. This plan should include extended preparation periods, more time for player bonding, and increased cooperation from support institutions.”
But more importantly, he said, “Gilas requires new leadership and a fresh generation of coaches with extensive international experience. Anything less would be insufficient.”
(ai/mnm)
MANILA — Coach Chot Reyes expressed deep regret for Gilas Pilipinas’ winless streak at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
The team suffered its fourth consecutive defeat in as many outings, with the latest being a 68-87 loss to South Sudan during the classification phase before a largely partisan crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, August 31.
What made this loss particularly disheartening for Filipino basketball enthusiasts was that it eliminated Gilas from contention for an automatic Paris Olympics qualification next year.
Reyes, visibly defeated after the loss, took full responsibility for the team’s shortcomings, stating, “I’ve said it numerous times. I’m genuinely sorry that we couldn’t deliver, and I bear complete accountability.”
When asked if the defeats served as a learning experience for Gilas, as he had previously mentioned in past tournaments leading up to the World Cup, Reyes responded with a definitive “no.”
He emphasized that this (2023) World Cup was the stage for the home team to execute rather than learn.
“No, this was no longer about gaining experience for us; it was a time for us to win and put our learning into action. This should have happened much earlier. This was the time for us to win and execute, and, as I mentioned, we didn’t get the job done,” Reyes lamented.
Even in defeat, Gilas could have still contended for the sole outright Olympic qualification spot for an Asian team if Japan had also lost to Venezuela. However, Japan secured an 86-77 victory, dashing Filipino hopes.
“Once again, it’s unfortunate. We knew this was the game we absolutely had to win because someone would secure the wins. That’s why I’m very, very disappointed. I wasn’t surprised that Japan won; that’s why I knew this was the game we absolutely had to win,” Reyes explained.
Despite the demoralizing loss, Reyes stressed the need for a swift recovery as Gilas still had a game against China to end their campaign on Saturday, September 2. Gilas aimed to salvage some pride with a victory, which would also affect China’s chances of outright Olympic qualification.
China, which defeated Angola to start its classification phase campaign, needed to beat the Philippines and hope that Japan lost to Cape Verde to increase its chances of finishing as the top Asian team in the tournament and securing the automatic Olympic qualification.
“Obviously, we’re very, very down. There’s nothing else to say, right? Morale is really low. Our task is to prepare everyone for the next game, and that starts with our mindset and emotional state,” Reyes emphasized.
He concluded by expressing pride in the team’s effort despite the challenging campaign. “I want to say that, as difficult and disappointing as this campaign has been so far, I’m still very proud of the effort. The guys gave their all and fought their best. Unfortunately, things didn’t go our way. All we can do now is focus on the next game. There’s one more game to be played. We’ll prepare as best as we can to put up a fight against China on Saturday.” (ai/mnm)
The Philippines’ Gilas Pilipinas came up short against South Sudan Thursday night as the Nationals absorbed a 68-87 drubbing in the FIBA World Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
It was the fourth straight loss by Gilas Pilipinas in as many outings, dashing the hopes of the Nationals of cornering a slot for the 2024 Paris Olympics through the FIBA World Cup.
It may be harder but there is still one remaining option for the Chot-Reyes mentored Gilas Pilipinas but they must hurdle top-tier teams through FIBA Olympics Qualifying tournaments.
South Sudan came away with guns ablaze and the African Kings ripped through in the first two quarters, posting a huge 18-point advantage, 51-33, at the half.
Displaying the same intensity and tenacity that gave them a 20-point blowout, upset win over China 89-69 earlier, South Sudan seemingly had it so good in the first two quarters.
Given the opportunity and proper penetration through Gilas’ defense, South Sudan erected leads of as many as 21 points, 51-30, going into the final two minutes of play in the first half.
Compared to Gilas Pilipinas’ 4 of 13 shooting average from beyond the arc, South Sudan made nine 9 of 17 tries from beyond the perimeter.
But with Kai Sotto manning the boards well in the third canto, Gilas Pilipinas prevented Sudan from ripping the game wide open, and instead, the hosts trimmed the huge deficit down only four (4) points 56-60 capped with a Sotto slam.
However, it was the closest they got as Sudan responded by padding the lead comfortably back to a double-digit edge, 72-61, with 4:31 remaining.
The possibility remains for Gilas to secure a berth in the Paris Olympics.
The Philippine squad is familiar with this setup, having participated in 2016 and 2020.
A total of 24 teams will contend across four Olympic qualifying tournaments.
However, this presents a formidable challenge, as Gilas would need to outperform numerous top-tier global teams to secure one of the four available slots.
This is the reason why securing the slot in the FIBA World Cup is a tall order as it eliminates the need to tread the needle’s eye.
But luck was not on Gilas’ side all throughout its previous four outings.
The last assignment for Gilas in the FIBA World Cup is against China on Saturday considered as a no-bearing game.
South Sudan waylaid China by 20 points a few days ago but it retains its place as the 27th-ranked team in the world.
On the other hand, Gilas holds the 40th spot.
(ai/mnm)
Asked to comment on team Gilas Pilipinas’ chances against the Dominican Republic led by Karl Anthony-Towns, team captain Japeth Aguilar offered a balanced 50-50 chances of winning in their initial outing in the FIBA World Cup this Friday, 25th of Auust 2023.
Expecting a mammoth record crowd of over 50,000, the opening games will be held at the cavernous Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
President Marcos, the country’s No.1 sports fan, announced the suspension of classes in public schools and the closure of government offices on August 25, 2023, in Metro Manila and Bulacan in observance of the opening of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Ahead of their clash with the globally ranked No. 23 team, Aguilar described their opening game as a formidable challenge for the 40th-ranked Gilas. Emphasizing the importance of meticulous execution of their game plan, Aguilar acknowledged the immense task at hand.
In Aguilar’s perspective, even a flawless performance might not assure victory given the Dominican Republic’s caliber. He acknowledged the equilibrium of the encounter, emphasizing that despite the circumstances, the team’s focus remains on giving their utmost effort.
The lineup for Gilas features key players like Utah Jazz’s standout Jordan Clarkson, seasoned big man June Mar Fajardo, and emerging center Kai Sotto. Complementing them are team captain Aguilar, Aj Edu, international talents Rhenz Abando, Dwight Ramos, and Kiefer Ravena, alongside PBA’s CJ Perez, RR Pogoy, Jamie Malonzo, and the PBA’s reigning MVP, Scottie Thompson. (ai/mnm)
MANILA — In an upcoming showdown between Gilas Pilipinas and the Dominican Republic, Dominican Republic coach Nestor Garcia anticipates a substantial turnout of Filipino supporters at the Philippine Arena on Friday.
Consequently, he underscores the utmost importance for his team, despite holding a higher rank than the Philippines, to maintain their concentration and commitment to their gameplay.
Garcia expressed, “A multitude of spectators will grace the match. In this nation, basketball enjoys fervent adoration, and the team receives resolute backing.”
This sentiment was shared during the introductory press conference held by FIBA, a day prior to the Dominican Republic’s face-off against Gilas Pilipinas. Eloy Vargas, the team captain, was also present at the press conference.
Vargas stated, “We are eagerly anticipating tomorrow’s commencement. The local team, Gilas, commands great respect. It has been widely acknowledged that we will compete before a sizable assembly of their fans.”
Anticipations are centered around Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns as the driving force of the Dominican Republic’s offensive strategy. Nevertheless, Victor Liz, Gervis Solano, and Eloy Vargas are equally determined to give their all. The Dominican Republic holds the 23rd rank in FIBA’s list.
Leading the charge for Gilas, holding the 40th rank, is former NBA Sixth Man, Jordan Clarkson. His efforts will receive support from Kai Sotto and Scottie Thompson, in addition to players like June Mar Fajardo, AJ Edu, and Dwight Ramos.
Garcia noted, “We are aware of the Filipinos’ proficiency as sharpshooters. Their performance escalates when on home turf.”
Transitioning from World Cup friendlies, Gilas’ attention now pivots towards the Dominican Republic.
“However, our focus remains unwavering. Strong performance transcends location,” Garcia affirmed.
When questioned about their upcoming matches against Italy and Angola, the Dominican coach expressed a preference for focusing solely on Gilas for the present moment.
Garcia elaborated, “We are proceeding incrementally. Our present focus is directed at the Philippines. Italy and Angola can be contemplated subsequently.”
Meanwhile, Vargas eagerly anticipates the matchup against Clarkson.
“Clarkson and I were G-League teammates. I am well aware of his prowess as a shooter. Nevertheless, I hold confidence in our team’s ability to effectively contain him,” Vargas concluded. (AI/MNM)
MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas stayed close to Mexico in their last tune-up game before the FIBA World Cup but still end up falling at the raw end of an 84-77 result on Monday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Despite resting Jordan Clarkson for the night, Gilas put up a gallant stand against the Mexicans, even taking the lead at some points of the game, the last at 59-55 midway through the third quarter.
However, Mexico finished the third on a 14-4 run to take a 69-63 lead and held off Gilas in the fourth to seal the win.
In fact, after a 51-all halftime deadlock, Mexico held Gilas to just 26 second-half points.
Pako Cruz led Mexico with 18 points, going 4-for-5 from beyond the arc, one rebound and three assists, while Paul Stoll added 17 points on 5-of-8 three-point shooting, five rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Mexico made a living from long range in general, finishing 13-of-24 from three-point range.
Scottie Thompson led Gilas with 14 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Save for the absence of Clarkson, coach Chot Reyes played almost the same roster that took on Montenegro on Sunday night, although Calvin Oftana did not get some playing time against Mexico.
Like the previous game, Ray-Ray Parks and Thirdy Ravena were not listed in the active lineup, which means both players did not see action in all three tune-up games which Reyes said would play an important factor in choosing the final 12-man Gilas lineup for the FIBA World Cup itself.
Despite needing to play three games in four nights behind closed doors, Reyes said that the grind would still continue for Gilas, that is, they will still practice for the next three nights before they debut against Dominican Republic.
“Tuloy-tuloy na kami. Tatlong araw na lang e (We will continue on in practice. There are only three days left),” Reyes said.
Gilas is expected to name its final lineup either by Wednesday or Thursday. (PNA)
Al Panlilio, the President of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP)
MANILA — As the 2023 FIBA World Cup looms just nine days away, Filipino basketball enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the announcement of the final 12 players selected for Gilas Pilipinas. The tension builds as basketball aficionados wonder who will secure a coveted spot and who will be left out from the remaining pool members.
Acknowledging the mounting curiosity of the public, Al Panlilio, the President of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), expressed his awareness of the fans’ eagerness to learn about the lineup for the global basketball spectacle.
Panlilio pointed out that the ultimate composition of the national team’s roster will be solidified through the squad’s upcoming three friendly matches. Coach Chot Reyes and his coaching team will make the final decisions in the upcoming week.
“From a FIBA perspective, the deadline is August 23, two days before the opening game. Team managers will convene to declare the lineup,” Panlilio explained.
He admitted, “Although other countries might have finalized their selections, it’s a challenging task for the coaches. I believe the next three friendly games will provide the clarity needed for the final 12.”
Following the recent China pocket tournament where Gilas faced Senegal and Iran Team B twice, the Philippine team engaged in a series of closed-door practice sessions over the past week. Notably, Utah Jazz standout Jordan Clarkson joined the training sessions.
In a positive turn of events, Scottie Thompson, the reigning PBA Most Valuable Player, has rejoined the team practice after recovering from a metacarpal fracture in his shooting hand. The injury was sustained a month ago during Gilas’ training camp in Europe.
Gilas’ final three friendly matches include games against Ivory Coast on Friday, Montenegro on the upcoming Sunday, and Mexico on the following Monday.
Reyes had previously mentioned that these friendly matches were strategically arranged to replicate the styles of the foreign national teams they will encounter during the group stage of the FIBA World Cup.
The Philippines is scheduled to face the Dominican Republic, led by NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns, on the opening night of August 25. Subsequent matchups include facing African powerhouse Angola on August 27, followed by a closing preliminary round game against the 10th-ranked Italy on August 29.
President Panlilio took a moment to express gratitude towards all the members of the Gilas pool for their dedication, with special mention of Justin Brownlee.
“Everyone was present. I’m pleased to see that … The challenge for the coaches now is finalizing the Top 12. I extend my gratitude to everyone in the pool who made sacrifices for Gilas without a guaranteed spot. Also, a big thank you to Justin Brownlee for his contributions to this journey,” Panlilio conveyed.
Brownlee, instrumental in Gilas’ gold medal triumph at the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia last May, will also represent the Philippines in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. (ai/mnm)
MANILA – Kai Sotto has been cleared to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio announced on Tuesday that the seven-foot-three beanpole would play for Gilas after Sotto’s camp and the federation’s medical team reached an agreement.
“The doctors of Kai and the SBP doctor, Dr. Randy Molo, spoke yesterday, and he’s been cleared to play. That’s good news,” Panlilio said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Meralco Gym in Pasig.
He then said the doctors decided to meet instead of asking for a magnetic resonance image (MRI) of Sotto’s back injury, which he suffered during the NBA Summer League for the Orlando Magic.
The MRI result was reportedly a prerequisite for the SBP for Sotto to play.
“We didn’t see any MRI results. What we wanted to do to put closure, really move forward, and just focus on the games, is really our doctors met,” Panlilio added
The next step now, he said, is to make Sotto available for Gilas’ upcoming tune-up games against Ivory Coast, Montenegro and Mexico.
Gilas will play Ivory Coast on Friday, Montenegro on Sunday, and Mexico on Monday.
All games will be held behind closed doors at the nearby PhilSports Arena.
Sotto is expected to add ceiling to Gilas ahead of their FIBA World Cup opener against Karl-Anthony Towns and the Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue on Aug. 25.
According to FIBA World Cup local organizing committee officer Erika Dy, about 28,000 tickets have already been sold for the game.
She also said they are on track to eclipsing the single-game record for a FIBA World Cup gate attendance of 32,616 set in the 1994 FIBA World Cup final in Toronto. (PNA)