Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Norwood, Romeo, Abueva set sight on avenging 2015 Asia Cup loss against China


The first assignment of Gilas Pilipinas in the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup is a grudge match. Standing right in front of the Philippines in their opening match is their tormentor from the last Asia Cup, China.

There are four players in this batch of Gilas, four stalwarts who experienced the 67-78 setback in Changsha, China: Gabe Norwood, Terrence Romeo, Jayson Castro, and Calvin Abueva.

“We all know the tactics that went on in that host situation,” recalled Norwood, who finished with seven points in 32 minutes during that game.

Two years ago, Gilas, under then-head coach Tab Baldwin, had a commendable campaign in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, storming through the opposition that then led to another gold medal match appearance.

Gilas had chances to win it all, but China, the host team of the said cagefest, had the breaks of the game favor them. The Filipinos, as a result, settled for another silver medal, with their 2016 Rio Olympics hopes all ripped apart.

Romeo, who added nine points during that game, could not wait to exact revenge on China. But as eager as he is to do so, Romeo knows that it will never be an easy thing to pull off.

“Kailangan maging matalino kami,” said the Imus, Cavite native. “‘Di pupwedeng pumunta dun ng gigil, kasi natalo kami sa Changsha diba? Panget naman kung pupunta ka dun na gusto mo agad bumawi tapos maglalaro ka.

“Mahirap ‘pag gigil ka na, wala nang direksyon.”

China’s public enemy during that game, Calvin Abueva — who had nine rebounds and five rebounds that cold October night — added that he is ready to settle some unfinished business.

“Ngayon, handa na ako. Wala na akong iniisip kung hindi yung Gilas,” he declared.

Story by Justine Bacnis and Matthew Li

#ReadMore  Joshua Smith receives warm welcome as TNT clobbers Columbian
Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

Terrence Romeo has his hands full balancing his role as a player for Terrafirma in the PBA and his new responsibility as head coach...

Basketball

Magnolia took no chances and dominated an all-Filipino Meralco, 129-92, to remain in the hunt for a ticket to the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s...

Basketball

In a game fitting to inaugurate the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, University of Santo Tomas proved the future is now, overpowering seasoned Discovery,...

Basketball

Familiar faces from the PBA took the sidelines to help grow women’s basketball at the inaugural Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) opener. PSP,...

Basketball

Nostalgia set in for Terrence Romeo as his Terrafirma debut brought an on-court reunion with a former running mate—and one of his closest pals....

Basketball

Count Vic Manuel in among people crossing their fingers to see Terrence Romeo suit up sooner, with Terrafirma badly needing all the help it...

Basketball

Calvin Oftana erupted for a career-high 42 points to power TNT past the struggling Magnolia, 103-100, for their breakthrough win in the PBA Season...

Basketball

Calvin Abueva was discharged from the hospital on the same night he got hurt during Magnolia’s eventual win over Blackwater in their PBA Season...

Advertisement