There might be loads of questions and realities that Gilas Pilipinas will deal with within the few days left main as much as the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Event (OQT) in Latvia.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet
There might be loads of questions and realities that Gilas Pilipinas will deal with within the few days left main as much as the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Event (OQT) in Latvia.
Fortuitously, the squad’s psychological fortitude and measurement gained’t be amongst these issues.
Regardless of an 11-man crew and a lowly No. 37 rating, nationwide coach Tim Cone has been steadfast in his perception that the Filipinos will not be going to be outmatched in Riga, the place one of many 4 OQTs for the remaining berths within the Paris Summer season Olympics might be contested.
SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba OQT in Riga, Latvia
“They see the potential in themselves,” he beforehand advised the Inquirer. “We’re not going to be overwhelmed by anyone.
“It has all the time been a measurement issue—that we’re not large enough, we’re not quick sufficient, we’re not sturdy sufficient to play on the worldwide [stage],” he added. “However we’re.”
Cone’s optimism stems from the squad’s composition, which boasts size and athleticism except for smarts and flexibility.
This version of Gilas Pilipinas is well one of many largest ever assembled, with 6-foot-4 Dwight Ramos serving as some extent guard, children Carl Tamayo (6-8) and Mason Amos (6-7) taking turns on the wings, and 6-10 June Mar Fajardo and 7-3 beanpole Kai Sotto patrolling the center.
READ: Tim Cone ‘not happy’ till Gilas Pilipinas reaches optimum OQT type
“They’re gonna be extra bodily than us, possibly, however they’re not gonna outsize us. And I feel that all the time provides us a risk [of winning],” he mentioned of the sector in Riga that’s affected by higher-ranked foes.
The Philippines is ready to battle world No. 6 Latvia and Twenty third-ranked Georgia in a 20-hour span in Group A of the quick meet that can ship one winner to the glitzy French capital later this month.
Each early opponents might be backstopped by NBA-caliber expertise. Davis Bertans of the Charlotte Hornets is ready to reprise his position for the hosts, whereas Sandro Mamukelashvili of the San Antonio Spurs and Goga Bitadze type a ferocious frontline for the Crusaders.
Pulling by means of that powerful stretch would ship Gilas to the knockout stage the place the Nationals might go up in opposition to Brazil, Montenegro, or Cameroon.
“For us, I feel, to have any success on this factor is to get to the crossover,” Cone mentioned in a separate interview. “We’ve bought to exit and beat both Latvia or Georgia to actually really feel we’ve had success—after which we’ll see the place we go from there.
“If we will beat a type of two groups, which means we will compete within the crossover, [and] you by no means know from there. And that’s going to be our variety feeling—simply go there, and I preserve saying, it’s not unimaginable,” he added.
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“If we will convey our greatest model of ourselves, we will beat anyone. Whether or not we will try this or not is the large query.”
