Josep Claros, the coach of Angola’s men’s national basketball team, faces the reality that the team is the underdog in their opening match against Italy in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, set to take place at the Philippine Arena.
Ranked at the lowest position in Group A at 41, the Angolans are up against the Azzurri, who hold the 10th rank in the world. Their previous encounter was in the last World Cup, where Italy emerged victorious with a score of 92-61 in China.
Though the challenge to upset Italy appears daunting, Claros remains optimistic, acknowledging that while Italy is a strong contender, the game’s unpredictability is an essential factor.
“In life, you have to accept the reality. I think the best way to face an opponent like Italy is to recognize that this is a very, very good team, an excellent team. Probably a candidate for a medal. (They have) Euroleague players, NBA players, shooters, big guys who can shoot, pick and roll players, physical. They have everything,” expressed the 54-year-old Spanish mentor.
“Once you know that, I think it’s important also to know what you can do against them. I think we have to be very humble, recognize that level and try to play every possession like it’s the last one in your life. If you fight every possession defensively and you believe in what you’re doing and you’re trying your best, at least you know you’re gonna compete and then let’s see what happens.”
While the Azzurri enter the tournament on a strong note, achieving victories over several formidable teams, the Time Nacional faced losses in friendly matches against Portugal and Japan this month. Embracing the underdog status is a challenge, especially when the odds appear stacked against them.
“But it’s clear too when you face a team like them, you cannot hide and start to say no we’re gonna do this, we’re gonna be better than that. It’s gonna be difficult. We have to accept that it’s gonna be difficult,” said the University of Barcelona alumnus.
“It’s gonna be tough and we need to be prepared for that. Don’t lie to yourself about this reality; otherwise, it can bring you frustration. In life, you have to accept how you can win.”
Following the opener against Italy, Angola will face host nation the Philippines, a matchup that presents a closer contest given the teams’ rankings. Claros particularly acknowledges the threat posed by Jordan Clarkson, who is set to lead Gilas in the campaign.
“Philippines is a very athletic team comparing also to the past. They have a lot of guys who can shoot, excellent shooters. They also have Clarkson who will undoubtedly contribute around 20 points and more,” said the Portuguese Cup 2005 winner.
“They can shoot, he’s a scorer, and they’ll be playing at home with strong support. It’s gonna be a tough game, but it’s also tough for them. I agree it’s gonna be an exciting game to watch.”
Facing the Dominican Republic in their final Group A match will be another formidable test for Angola, given the presence of NBA players Karl-Anthony Towns and Lester Quiñones. Despite the challenges ahead, Claros emphasizes his team’s determination to fight.
“Just getting a win in the group stage will be a significant achievement for Angola. Our backs are against the wall against Italy, Philippines, and Dominican Republic. With this in mind, I just want my players to keep fighting during every possession,” he said.
“We’ll see how we are when the time comes. For me, the important thing is the mental state. How our players face reality, knowing that opportunities to fight and believe are always there. From this mindset, competition arises. After that, obviously, we need to perform better. In preparation, some teams scored too easily. At this level, you can’t allow that. Accuracy will be crucial.”
