Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers

Gilas no longer pack element of surprise come second World Cup


A lot can change in five years. But for Gilas Pilipinas, five of their players want to believe that it’s for the better.

On Saturday, Gabe Norwood, Japeth Aguilar, June Mar Fajardo, Andray Blatche, and Paul Lee will make their second FIBA World Cup appearance.

“It was everything we worked hard for,” recalled Aguilar about their participation in the 2014 edition of the tournament in Spain.

“The goal was definitely to make it to the Olympics. But at that time, it felt like nasa Olympics na kami.”

In Spain, the Philippines was the feel-good story of the tournament.

The Filipinos pushed squads like Croatia, Argentina, and Puerto Rico to the brink – including an epic contest against the Luis Scola-led El Alma Argentina squad.

Five years later, though, the element of surprise is gone.

“We know we’re not gonna surprise anybody anymore. We’ve demanded respect in the last World Cup,” opined Norwood, who averaged 5.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game during the 2014 Worlds.

The composition of the team is a whole lot younger this time around. The trio of Kiefer Ravena, CJ Perez, and Robert Bolick manning the backcourt, while Raymond Almazan and Troy Rosario making up the towers.

“Yung 2014 sobrang stacked talaga nung team, lahat veteran. Dito, madaming bagong mukha,” shared Lee, who was as one of the ‘young’ guys back then.

“Nagre-rely lang kami sa samahan namin ngayon.”

The World Cup’s format has also changed during that span. And not for the easier either.

#ReadMore  Gilas brace for possibility of not having Kai Sotto for FIBA WC

The prize of making it past the Asian Qualifiers – a rigged two-year series that saw Gilas play 12 games in a home-and-away format – were dates with European powerhouses Serbia and Italy and African upstart Angola.

But with the experience they have gained, they will go to China with confidence high.

“Siguro tumaas yung kumpyansa namin kasi pangalawang World Cup na. May experience na kami sa World Cup. Pero hindi ganun kadali yung mga magiging games natin,” said Fajardo, who has won five MVP plums since the last FIBA cycle.

Still, the goal remains the same. And though winning it all may seem like a stretch, Gilas looks to defy the odds just as always.

The first goal will be to win two games. Then advance to playoffs. Later on, maybe be the best Asian team to gain an outright Olympic berth.

Dare to dream, as they say.

“I’ve been an underdog almost my whole life so it’s okay. It’s great to shock people. Our main focus is to get two wins. We got one win in the last World Cup,” shared Blatche, who led Gilas to an 81-79 win over Senegal back in September 4, 2014.

“This time, our main goal is to get two wins and advance.”

Written By


You May Also Like

ADMU

Eerily similar to the journey of women’s basketball athletes in the Philippines, Sabrina Ionescu’s rise to stardom in the WNBA and across the globe...

Basketball

Chot Reyes was right. Hours after calling TNT’s potential opponent in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals, Ginebra proved him correct by dispatching...

Basketball

NorthPort avoided a sweep with a hard-fought 108-103 victory over Barangay Ginebra in Game 4 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals, Wednesday...

Basketball

Jamie Malonzo played his best game since returning as Ginebra moved one win away from sweeping NorthPort following a dominant 127-100 victory in Game...

Basketball

Ginebra moved halfway through in finishing NorthPort after another dominant victory, 119-106, to seize Game 2 of their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinal...

Basketball

Tim Cone is the most decorated head coach in Philippine Basketball Association history, boasting 25 championships in his illustrious career. But the 67-year-old would...

Basketball

Tim Cone has come under fire from fans following Gilas Pilipinas Men’s disappointing performances in both the 2nd Doha International Cup and the final...

Basketball

Ginebra debunked the notion that fatigue could be a cause of concern coming into the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals. Members of the...

Advertisement