It was clearly not the way Gilas Pilipinas had wanted to open their 2017 William Jones Cup campaign on Saturday afternoon in Taiwan, as the Nationals lost to the taller 3D Canada Global Sports due to their numerous errors on both ends of the floor.
The young cadets committed a glaring 22 turnovers, with 16 coming from the first half alone. Furthermore, the referees slapped the Filipinos with 26 fouls that led to 40 free throws.
Despite the 77-90 loss, however, head coach Chot Reyes was satisfied with the effort displayed by the Cadets.
“I’m very satisfied with our effort,” said Reyes after the match in Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium. “I felt like they came out and competed against a very tough, tall, athletic Canadian team. We knew coming in that we are in for a huge battle.
“I was very happy with our effort in this ball game.”
However, the 53-year-old tactician noted that the young cadets cannot give up the same number of free throws like they did against Canada for the rest of the way.
“I thought we shot at-par with them, we rebounded well,” remarked the five-time PBA Coach of the Year. “The only problem was we gave up forty free throws.
“We can’t give up forty free throws to a team like that.”
Though winning the tournament is the goal, coach Chot reiterated that the more important mission of the team is to help develop chemistry within the young Gilas squad.
“That’s why we’re here — to learn, to grow, to get a feel of getting in this kind of top-level competition,” he declared.
