GILAS TO BUILD MOMENTUM VS. SINGAPORE
With a good warm-up against Chinese Taipei Saturday, Gilas Pilipinas is likely to pick up its game and nail a second straight win versus lowly Singapore at the resumption of the fifth FIBA Asia Cup in Wuhan, China Monday.
The Nationals play the Singaporeans at 2:45 p.m., looking to build momentum going to their anticipated match versus coach Rajko Toroman and his Jordan team at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday.
Gilas Pilipinas hopes to sweep its Group B matches to avoid an early playoff collision with the heavyweights – China and Iran — in Group A.
In a key match late Saturday, the Chinese bested the reigning champs Iranians, 64-51, to take the solo lead in Group A.
In drubbing the Taiwanese, 78-64, the Filipinos put themselves in a good position to top Group B and face either the Indonesians or the Indians in the quarterfinals.
The sternest tests come starting in the semis.
The Taiwanese provided some challenges Saturday.
“Almost 30 turnovers may not be the best way to go forward. But I’m not complaining,” said Reyes after their scrambling 14-point win over the Taiwanese.
“This is the first game after a long time. Some guys are just coming off a long PBA season. And some of them are wearing this uniform for the first time,” Reyes pointed out. “There’s bound to be some pressure, but I think we’ll come along alright.”
The Nationals blew away an early 16-point spread and needed to fight back from a six-point deficit late in the third period to win their first game since their breakthrough second-place finish in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship. (SB)
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