No smooth sailing for Gilas in Hangzhou Asian Games

DOES it look like Gilas Pilipinas got a favorable draw at Group C in the Hangzhou Asian Games?

Certainly not.

The Philippines is slated to face Bahrain on Sept. 26 on opening day, then Thailand on Sept. 28, and Jordan on Sept. 30 in the Group Stage of the men’s basketball competition at the Hangzhou Olympic Stadium in China.

While Bahrain used to be a favorite doormat for Filipinos in past tournaments, it has certainly made progress with the recent acquisition of former PBA import Wayne Chism as a naturalized player.

He led Rain or Shine to the finals in the 2015 Reinforced Conference finals and was named Best Import.

And what more do we know about Bahrain, which might have acquired more naturalized players?

Against Thailand, Gilas cannot be complacent as its perennial rival in Southeast Asia has managed to acquire naturalized imports.

The task with Jordan appears to be the most difficult as Gilas will face a fellow World Cupper, backstopped by NBA veteran and former PBA import Rondae-Hollis Jefferson.

Assuming Justin Brownlee becomes 100 percent healthy and available for Gilas, it would be a return meeting for the two imports since their last showdown in the 2022-23 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals a few months back.

Hollis-Jefferson put one over Brownlee that time, becoming the conference’s Best Import and leading TNT to a 4-2 Finals win over Brownlee’s Barangay Ginebra.

Despite the challenges, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, who is assisting the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas in the formation of the team, expressed confidence that the Asiad- bound Gilas will be a fighting team.

“Sa akin naman, kahit sinong coach ipadala natin, kahit sinong mga players ipadala natin, laban ‘to. Laban ‘to, itong team na ‘to,” Marcial told the hosts of SPIN POV episode.

With the Asian Games’ requirements more relaxed than that of FIBA, countries willing to strengthen their lineup just need to provide local passports for their imports.

The Philippine Olympic Committee has already submitted an initial lineup to the Asian Games organizers, although the SBP and PBA will jointly announce the final composition of the team on Thursday, including the new coach.

Chot Reyes resigned from his Gilas coachinf post in the faceof criticism from fans, who were disgruntled by his handling of the PH squad in the World Cup.

The Philippines hopes to improve on its fifth-place finish in the Asian Games held five years ago in Jakarta, Indonesia.