Beat Qatar, Kazakhstan!
Playing the percentages, Gilas Pilipinas coach Yeng Guiao is giving the national team an 8 out of 10 in preparation as they leave today for two all-important games in the sixth and last qualifying window to the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.
The Nationals depart for Qatar today to face the home team on Thursday in Doha before taking on Kazakhstan in Astana on Feb. 24.
“I don’t think we can really be one hundred percent because we lack enough time to prepare. But if we make it to 90 percent, we’ll be okay. That will be good enough for us to win games,” said Guiao after the team’s tuneup game against the Meralco Bolts on Friday.
“At least even without Andray Blatche we’ve seen that the guys are blending well. We played good defense today. We’re hoping we can still improve and be able to translate or apply the things that we’ve practiced against Qatar and Kazakhstan.”
Gilas’ tuneup against the Bolts, where they won, 100-82, was the lone scrimmage they had prior to the qualifiers.
The Nationals are in a must-win situation after placing fourth with a 5-5 win-loss record in Group F. Australia is on top at 9-1, followed by Iran (7-3) and Japan (6-4).
Before the hometown crowd last December, Gilas dropped two matches first to Kazakhstan 92-88, and then Iran 78-70.
Blatche is expected to provide inside strength as far as Guiao is concerned. The 6-foot-10 former NBA player joined the team’s practice session from Feb. 2 to 10 before returning to China and rejoining the Tianjin Golden Lions.
Guiao has scheduled twice-a-day practice until game day in Doha.
“We hope, kung ano man yung kulang na oras namin dito, di kami masyadong nagkakasama, doon at least 24 hours a day magkakasama kami doon.” (Whatever we lacked here in camaraderie, we hope to make up for it there.)
Completing Gilas-PH are June Mar Fajardo, Paul Lee, Poy Erram, Mark Barroca, Jayson Castro, Scottie Thompson, Marcio Lassiter, Gabe Norwood, Troy Rosario, Japeth Aguilar, Raymond Almazan, Roger Pogoy and Thirdy Ravena – the only amateur player in the roster.