Gilas Pilipinas got a hard-fought 70-61 victory over Ukraine’s Under-20 team on Saturday at Zalgirio Arena in Kaunas .
Despite coach Chot Reyes labeling it their worst performance to date, the Philippine national basketball team managed to hold their ground and claim their first win in the ongoing European training camp.
Led by the energetic Rhenz Abando, Gilas did not let up throughout the game, avoiding an upset.
This victory signifies a crucial step forward for the national team as they gear up for the highly 2023 FIBA World Cup.
However, Reyes remained far from satisfied with his team’s overall performance against a Ukrainian side he described as “tall, well-disciplined, and well-coached.”
In a post-game interview with the SBP’s Carlo Pamintuan, Reyes expressed his disappointment, highlighting areas for improvement.
“If I were to rate it, I think this is the worst game that we played since the start,” lamented Reyes.
“I know this is the game that we won, but I believe there’s a lot more that can be desired from our team.”
The coach particularly emphasized the defensive lapses committed by the squad, compounded by the absence of key players Scottie Thompson (back spasm) and Chris Newsome (bruised knee).
Reyes acknowledged the challenges faced by Gilas Pilipinas, stating, “Of course, we came into this game without our top two point guards, so it was somewhat understandable given the circumstances.”
However, he stressed the need for continuous improvement and heightened performance standards as the team progresses on their overall journey.
An upcoming rematch against Ukraine is set for Sunday.
