Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers

MVP elated with SMART Gilas’ 2-0 start, but remains wary of Australia


Philippine basketball patron and business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan was absolutely pleased with how SMART Gilas Pilipinas had swept Japan and Chinese Taipei in the first leg of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

“Given the circumstances under which the team was formed, yes of course,” said the Chairman of SMART Communications after the team had downed the Taiwanese, 90-83, Monday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

“I’m very happy for the team, very proud of them. I’m sure, FIBA would notice that we done well despite.”

However, the amiable executive is not celebrating too much just yet, knowing that the second leg of the Qualifiers will be much tougher.

The Philippines will head into the Qualifiers’ second leg to face world powerhouse Australia on the road on February 22.

“Mabigat yun, mabigat yun. It’s a very good team,” said Pangilinan of the Boomers, a team that is ranked ninth in the world.

And that is why the 71-year-old philantrophist hopes to see SMART Gilas find ample time to prepare against the Australians, who have also swept the first window with wins over Chinese Taipei (104-66) and the Akatsuki Five of Japan (82-58).

“So, if we are gonna get serious about competing against Australia, we have to give enough time for the team to jell,” said Pangilinan. “I’m not a coach but I would love to at least a month to prepare for the competition together of course.

“Otherwise, our chances are not good against their team.”

#ReadMore  Troy Rike donates Chooks-to-Go incentive to Filipino, Australian charities
Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

TV5 has expanded the reach of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) games by announcing a partnership with CNN Philippines. As of January 6, PBA games...

2023 FIBA World Cup

Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has won a bronze award in the prestigious 2023 CLIO Sports Awards for transforming the iconic SM...

19th Asian Games

Coming off the debacle that was Gilas Pilipinas’ FIBA Basketball World Cup campaign, two of the country’s largest conglomerates joined forces to create a...

Basketball

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) is proud to announce that the games of UAAP Season 86 will once again be aired...

19th Asian Games

After successfully bringing the FIBA Basketball World Cup to Filipino fans, mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) will stream the 19th Asian Games...

2023 FIBA World Cup

The final buzzer of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 rang with a much deeper meaning for Filipinos who witnessed the best players from...

Basketball

FIBA and the leading Philippine mobile services provider, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), have renewed their Global Partnership until after the FIBA Basketball World Cup...

2023 FIBA World Cup

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 global partner, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), is offering subscribers more opportunities to own a piece of sports history as...

Advertisement