For some, facing tough teams early in a tournament is something that they welcome, as it will ease their burden as the competition goes along. But for SEA Games-bound Gilas Pilipinas coach Jong Uichico, he begs to differ.
“I’d rather not,” admitted the veteran internationalist, as the Filipino dribblers will have an early test in the Kuala Lumpur-hosted biennial meet in the form of regional rivals Thailand on Sunday, August 20 — their opening match.
“You’d rather progress as the tournament goes on. But that’s the draw,” Uichico added.
The Cadets’ place is similar to what their senior counterparts were into in the FIBA Asia Cup 2017, where they had Asian powerhouse China in their opening game. It was daunting at first, but the Philippines emerged victorious.
And with that, the former PBA head coach is confident that his younger wards have what it takes to emulate what the veterans did.
“That’s the draw. The FIBA Asia had the same draw — they (seniors) played China right away but they were able to win and we’re in the next round. We can do it din naman,” claimed the multiple-time champion tactician.
But before they fully set sights into it, Uichico was quick to add that the Cadets still have to polish rough sides — playing consistently for 40 minutes, in particular, as they had some bad starts in their four tune-ups versus collegiate teams.
“It’s hard to make it a habit that we can start out bad in the first quarter as long as we finish strong. There might not be a strong finish if we don’t start out well,” said Uichico, recalling how Gilas fared versus Ateneo, FEU, Adamson, and NU.
And that is why Uichico and his troops will maximize the remaining days they have here in Manila, before departing to Malaysia on Friday for the regional meet.
“We’re not really a hundred percent, but hopefully in the next two days we can get there in time for Sunday’s game,” said Uichico.
“Kailangan, whether one hundred or eighty percent or whatever, we have to be ready to play Thailand.”
