Better grasp of qualifiers format key, says head coach Chot Reyes
APART from working on and developing their game, Philippine national men’s basketball team coach Chot Reyes also underscored the need for them to have a better grasp of the tournament format now under the new competition system of world governing body FIBA to aid them in their World Cup bid.
Instituted by FIBA to usher in a new era in how it handles competitions under its wing, the format sees competing teams/nations in four regions playing in home and away games in six windows to qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2019.
The windows are scheduled for nine days each, with the teams playing two games per window, one on their home turf and one away.
Gilas Pilipinas is off to a good start in Group B of the Asian Qualifiers, going 2-0 in the first window after beating Japan in Tokyo, 77-71, last Friday, and Chinese Taipei here in Manila, 90-83, on Monday.
It has yet to play in the group stage Australia, which is also sporting a 2-0 record.
Considering that the window schedule can be tough and strenuous with much travel involved, Mr. Reyes said Gilas players have to be really ready, both body and mind, when plunging into the competition to have the team on better footing to compete.
“Getting used to the format of the competition, mentally and physically, is very important playing under this format. Their bodies have to get used to it and their minds. Under the format, you find yourself playing a hard game and then preparing to travel for three to four hours after. Australia will be tougher because it’s going to be an eight- to nine-hour plane ride. Hopefully the players get a better grasp of it,” said Mr. Reyes during the postgame press conference last Monday.
The Gilas coach also said that the home and away format of the competition should also help the development of their players.
“For most of the players, this (Chinese Taipei game) is the first time that they played in front of the home crowd in such a setup. I know we played in the SEABA (Southeast Asian Basketball Championship) but this is different. We’re hoping that this gets to contribute to their development moving forward,” Mr. Reyes said.
Gilas Pilipinas next returns to action on February for the second window.
In the FIBA World Cup 2019, 32 teams will be competing — the host country (China), seven from Asia, five teams from Africa, seven from Americas and 12 from Europe.
The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 will qualify seven teams directly for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, with the remaining four plus the host (to be decided on by the Central Board) to be determined through four Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in 2020. —