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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Gilas on collision course with Asian rival China, top African team South Sudan

Gilas on collision course with Asian rival China, top African team South Sudan

Published Aug 30, 2023 03:42 pm

At A Glance

  • Gilas Pilipinas found itself on a collision course with Asian rival China and top African team South Sudan in what is seen to be a pair of fiery final two games for the host in the classification round for 17-32 spots in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Gilas Pilipinas found itself on a collision course with Asian rival China and top African team South Sudan in what is seen to be a pair of fiery final two games for the host in the classification round for 17-32 spots in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

viber_image_2023-08-30_22-03-34-444.jpg
Zhou Qi will be pitted against Kai Sotto and AJ Edu when China and Gilas Pilipinas collide in the classification round. (Noel Pabalate/MB)

The Nationals, who finished fourth in Group A with a 0-3 record, are set to face the Bright Stars first on Thursday, Aug. 31, then the bigger clash on Saturday, Sept. 2, against the Team Dragon – Gilas’ direct competition for the coveted lone 2024 Paris Olympic spot for Asia.

The classification matches were arranged following the result of the final two games in Group B that saw title contender Serbia rolling past South Sudan, 115-83, and Puerto Rico slamming the door on China’s second round hopes with a 107-89 win.

As a result, South Sudan, which finished with 1-2 record, and Chin,a which was winless through three games, were relegated to the classification round against Gilas and Group A third seed Angola.

Leading the Bright Stars against Serbia were Dut Juok Kacuol with 21 points and Nuni Omot with 17. Their scoring leader in Carlik Jones, who averaged 23 points through the first two games, was held to just three points in the loss.

South Sudan, despite the earlier loss, could have punched the ticket to the second round with a China win in the second game but the Asian team failed to snatch a victory against the Puerto Ricans.

For one, Li Kaier (Kyle Anderson) and Zhou Qi, two of China’s most potent weapons, had lackluster performances and finished with nine and eight points, respectively. Zhao Rui finished with 16 points while Zhao Ji Wei added 14 to lead Team Dragon.

The two, however, are expected to bounce back against the Bruno Fernando-led Angola and Gilas especially as the Chinese are also in need of a victory to give their Olympic bids a boost.

Gilas, however, also has the same thing in mind as the Nationals aim to sweep the classification round to at least catch up with Japan which is currently leading the Asian teams race with a 1-2 record.

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gilas pilipinas 2023 FIBA World Cup
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