Filipino fans aren’t the only ones feeling impressed with the gallant fight Gilas Pilipinas put up against powerhouse Serbia in the 2021 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, Wednesday (Thursday morning, Manila time).
Eagles head coach Igor Kokoskov tipped his hat to the youth-laden crew, who made it a difficult night for the host. They even almost pulled off a massive upset before crumbling in the final minutes to the world no. 5.
“We’d like to congratulate the Philippine team for playing really well, playing together as a unit,” the former Phoenix Suns chief shot-caller said moments after their 83-76 escape at the Aleksandar Nikolic Hall.
“First of all, congratulations to the Philippines. They played a really good game tonight,” added player Danilo Andjusic, who had 12 points.
Expectations were indeed exceeded by the youngest Gilas Men team ever assembled with how it performed against the Serbians.
The game was actually expected to become a one-sided affair when they went down by 16 points in the third quarter, but the Filipino dribblers kept on finding ways to chop the deficit before eventually getting the lead.
Gilas went up by a solitary point, 74-73, thanks to RJ Abarrientos’ bucket off a drive with 3:50 remaining in the game.
Photo from FIBA.basketball
Boban Marjanovic, however, spoiled the party, taking over from there to put the home team back up as the visitors failed to convert opportunities into points. Serbia then went on to sweep its way to the crossover semis.
Still, Kokoskov had nothing but praises for Gilas, particularly for head coach and program director Tab Baldwin, whom he called a ‘dear friend.’
“Coach Baldwin is doing a great job, a dear friend of mine. I think he’s doing an awesome job and I’m happy for him.
“I think his team played really together, and they are competing,” the 49-year-old strategist said.
This had actually been the second game in a row that Serbia got challenged. Just last night, it had to overcome a gutsy Dominican Republic side before pulling away late en route to the 94-76 victory.
Kokoskov said that his team, which features a bevy of new faces led by former youth team standout Filip Petrusev, is “thinking too much” at this point.
“I’m not sure how long this team has played together but I keep repeating we’re a new team. Lots of new faces. We’re missing some guys tonight but I think at this point, we’re thinking too much,” he said.
“I think we don’t have that flow. Basketball is a game of reaction. And we don’t react. I think we’re thinking too much offensively and defensively.”
Still, the long-time basketball force is now heading to the semis, where they will face the other group’s top seed between Italy and Puerto Rico. However, all that Kokoskov hopes for now is the speedy recovery of some of his men.
Team captain Nikola Kalinic, Nemanja Bjelica, and Vasilije Micic didn’t play versus Gilas as they got hurt versus Republica Dominicana.
Stefan Jovic, unfortunately, added to their injury when he suffered an apparent leg injury with 4:27 left to play versus Gilas.
“We will do what’s best for the players. We always protect the health of the players. it is our priority,” Kokoskov said.
“It is the number one thing.”
