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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Winless Gilas faces China in final WC game

Winless Gilas faces China in final WC game

Published Sep 2, 2023 01:23 am

At A Glance

  • Gilas Pilipinas hopes to salvage some pride in its final FIBA Basketball World Cup game when it takes on Asian rival China on Saturday, Sept. 2, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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Gilas Pilipinas hopes to salvage some pride in its final FIBA Basketball World Cup game when it takes on Asian rival China on Saturday, Sept. 2, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

 

viber_image_2023-08-31_22-18-10-356.jpg
Jordan Clarkson and Gilas Pilipinas hope for a winning end in World Cup (Noel Pabalate/MB)

 

The Nationals put it all at 8 p.m. against the Team Dragon with a fervent goal of avoiding another winless run and ending an ongoing futility of nine-game losing streak in basketball's biggest stage.

To do that, however, Gilas must muster all the strength and courage that are left after seeing its Olympic hopes blown away following a gut-wrenching 87-68 loss to South Sudan on Thursday night, Aug. 31. It also didn't help that the overperforming Japan picked up its second win after a gallant fightback against Venezuela over in Okinawa.

“(Need) to just remind them what we're playing for. We're doing this for the flag and country. We're doing this as our way to serve the country, the Philippines,” said Reyes.

“Basically to remind them that it's more than just a ball game or just a win but something larger, hopefully, ending on a winning note and hopefully leaving a lasting impression,” he added.

Claiming the scalp of Team Dragon could be the saving grace and redeemer of sorts to Gilas’ campaign – and somehow alleviate the fans’ furor over the disappointing run.

A win would not only help Gilas avoid suffering the same misery of the 2019 World Cup where it lost all of its five games and finished dead last, but also prevent the country from being on the bad end of history as the first host team to come out winless in the World Cup since 1982.

“We're trying to put everything together for one last push knowing that there’s no bearing except pride, fight for country ,for service which is exactly why we're here in the first place,” added Reyes.

“No matter how difficult this job is, we're here, we're doing it and hopefully we can come in and get to play our best on Saturday,” he added.

Jordan Clarkson has been nothing but spectacular for Gilas, leading the way with 24 points per contest and, despite licking the wounds of the past heartbreaks, remained determined to also pick up his first win in the world stage.

Clarkson, however, will need every little help it can get from the rest of the local crew as China, led by naturalized player Kyle Anderson (Li Kaier), is also over the moon after finally breaking through in the World Cup with an 83-76 win over Angola.


 

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