TEAM PILIPINAS TAKES ON QATAR FRIDAY
TEAM Pilipinas will play against Qatar on Friday in one of its two crucial games in the sixth and last window of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asian qualifiers at the Al- Gharafa Sports Club Multi-Purpose Hall in Doha.
Game time is 12 midnight (Philippine time).
National coach Yeng Guiao and his staff on Tuesday named the final 12- man lineup of the Philippine team; the players are Gabe Norwood, June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, JP Erram, Mark Barroca, Troy Rosario, Marcio Lassiter, Jayson Castro, Scottie Thompson, Paul Lee, naturalized Andray Blatche and collegiate hoops standout Thirdy Ravena.
Ravena, the younger brother of former national team member Kiefer Ravena, made it to the final lineup as a replacement for the 6’7 Raymond Almazan who sprained his ankle during Sunday’s practice according to reports.
“Thirdy (Ravena), at his young age, is a proven winner. Anytime you can add a guy with his athleticism, knowledge of the game, and understanding of what it takes to win is a plus,” said Norwood of Rain or Shine. “This will be great for his game and in the end I think it will help us too.”
A win over Qatar will boost the Filipinos’ confidence for their second encounter with Kazakhstan on Sunday in Astana.
“The importance of the Qatar game is pretty self explanatory, think we know what’s at stake,” added Norwood.
The Qataris, with a 2- 8 record in Group F, pose a tough challenge for the Philippines.
Clinton Johnson III posted a top average of 17.7 points and six rebounds while Tanguy Alban Ngombo had 15.5 points and nine rebounds average for Qatar in the last window.
The Philippine team, during the fourth window on September 17, beat Qatar, 92-81, in a closed- door match at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Filipinos are determined to bounce back from back-to-back losses to Kazakhstan (88-92) on November 30 and Iran (70-78) on December 3. Both games were held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
With a 5-5 win-loss record and No. 4 in Group F, the nationals need to win against the Qataris to keep alive their bid to qualify for this year’s FIBA World Cup on August 31 to September 15 in China.
Australia currently at No. 1 with 9- 1 record is followed by Iran with 7- 3 and Japan with 6- 4 in Group F. Kazakhstan is No. 5 with 4- 6.