Chot Reyes remains wary of familiar foes following World Cup draw
Published Apr 30, 2023 03:27 am
Familiarity on foes isn't exactly a huge advantage for Gilas Pilipinas in the group stage of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Head coach Chot Reyes’ worries didn’t disappear as the Philippines was bracketed with Italy, Dominican Republic and Angola following the World Cup draw on Saturday night, April 29.
*Gilas head coach Chot Reyes (FIBA)*
“Well, it goes both ways. We know them, they know us as well. So there’s going to be a few surprises,” said Reyes. “But in the end that’s really going to be determined by how well we can prepare, how well we can get together, play together and how many quality tuneup games we can get before the actual actual World Cup, right?,” he added. One World Cup ago, Italy and Angola were grouped with the Philippines in China. Gilas Pilipinas, though, found itself in two separate painful losses, including one where they suffered a 46-point drubbing at the hands of the Italians and a three-point defeat in overtime against the Angolans. Dominican Republic then sent the Philippines reeling in a 96-67 rout in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia two years ago. “I think that is what’s going to be important because that’s what we were able to do in 2014. I thought we were able to put on a very good tuneup preparation schedule. So when it came to the World Cup time in 2014 we were playing at a very high level. So hopefully, we can get to that level as well this time,” Reyes said. As the preparation tightens, the scheduled training camps of the national team will likely fall towards the middle of June or in early July. Meanwhile, with Utah Jazz player Jordan Clarkson expected to tow the Philippines to a better finish after expressing his desire to get ahold of an Olympic spot, the rest of the Group A, likewise, might be getting the services of other NBA stars. Dominican Republic has a list of current players in the NBA including Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Al Horford of the Boston Celtics and Chris Duarte of the Indiana Pacers. Danilo Gallinari of the Boston Celtics could be tapped by Italy, while Angola has Bruno Fernando of the Atlanta Hawks. “No. 10, No. 23, No. 41. I think that’s the best way to describe it. Italy in No. 10 in the world, Domincan is No. 23. We’re basically tied with Angola at 40 and 41,” detailed Reyes. Gilas Pilipinas’ four-month preparation for the Olympic dream now begins while bearing its foes in mind as the World Cup kicks off on August 25.
*Gilas head coach Chot Reyes (FIBA)*
“Well, it goes both ways. We know them, they know us as well. So there’s going to be a few surprises,” said Reyes. “But in the end that’s really going to be determined by how well we can prepare, how well we can get together, play together and how many quality tuneup games we can get before the actual actual World Cup, right?,” he added. One World Cup ago, Italy and Angola were grouped with the Philippines in China. Gilas Pilipinas, though, found itself in two separate painful losses, including one where they suffered a 46-point drubbing at the hands of the Italians and a three-point defeat in overtime against the Angolans. Dominican Republic then sent the Philippines reeling in a 96-67 rout in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia two years ago. “I think that is what’s going to be important because that’s what we were able to do in 2014. I thought we were able to put on a very good tuneup preparation schedule. So when it came to the World Cup time in 2014 we were playing at a very high level. So hopefully, we can get to that level as well this time,” Reyes said. As the preparation tightens, the scheduled training camps of the national team will likely fall towards the middle of June or in early July. Meanwhile, with Utah Jazz player Jordan Clarkson expected to tow the Philippines to a better finish after expressing his desire to get ahold of an Olympic spot, the rest of the Group A, likewise, might be getting the services of other NBA stars. Dominican Republic has a list of current players in the NBA including Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Al Horford of the Boston Celtics and Chris Duarte of the Indiana Pacers. Danilo Gallinari of the Boston Celtics could be tapped by Italy, while Angola has Bruno Fernando of the Atlanta Hawks. “No. 10, No. 23, No. 41. I think that’s the best way to describe it. Italy in No. 10 in the world, Domincan is No. 23. We’re basically tied with Angola at 40 and 41,” detailed Reyes. Gilas Pilipinas’ four-month preparation for the Olympic dream now begins while bearing its foes in mind as the World Cup kicks off on August 25.