After lethargic performance, Gilas Pilipinas hopes to display sharp form against Kazakhstan | via InterAKTV The Philippine national men’s basketball team played with fire on Wednesday night, letting lightweight opponent Hong Kong hang around before finally securing the victory in the fourth quarter. As Gilas Pilipinas enters the knockout stages, the players know that a similar lethargic performance would be unacceptable. “We cannot take any team from granted, katulad sa Hong Kong, wala sa rhythm yung depensa namin. Yung pick and roll defense namin hindi maayos,” Japeth Aguilar told InterAKTV in an exclusive interview. “Against Kazakhstan, we know we have to do a better job.” The two teams met in a tuneup match last July 26 at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum. For Gilas coach Chot Reyes, the game was helpful for giving him a first look at a Kazakhstan squad that had been shrouded in mystery prior to coming to the Philippines. But he cautions against putting too much stock into the result, knowing how the tall, talented Kazakhstan squad can spell trouble for the Philippines. The two nations have a long history when it comes to high-level regional basketball. In the 1998 Asian Games, the Philippine Centennial team led by Jojo Lastimosa defeated Kazakhstan in the bronze medal match. Four years later, the Kazakhs got its revenge by keeping Jong Uichico’s Philippine team out of the podium. For team captain Jimmy Alapag, it’s time for Gilas Pilipinas to prove their worth. “Come Friday, we really have to come out and play our best basketball. This is it. You have the eight best teams in FIBA Asia. It’s really important for us to really come out, start strong and be ready to play our best basketball,” said Alapag.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Aug 2013 03:28:22 +0000
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