Three days after their crushing 64-86 defeat at the hands of Australia, SMART Gilas Pilipinas has the chance to redeem itself at home against Japan in the resumption of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers’ second window.
Game time is at 7:30 PM tonight at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Gilas, ranked second in Group B with a 2-1 slate, will be facing an upset-hungry Akatsuki Five. Japan have yet to taste a win, as they are now dead last with a 0-3 card, with their recent loss coming against Chinese Taipei, 69-70.
Japan actually had the chance to earn that victory against the Taiwanese on home soil, had they protected a seven-point lead in the third chapter.
The team from the Far East will be banking on naturalized forward Ira Brown and feisty guards Makoto Hiejima and Naoto Tsuji for their bid to steal one on the road and save their flatlining Asian Qualifiers campaign.
It will not, however, be an easy task to fulfill, as the Japanese will face a full-force Filipino side. The coaches have reactivated main point guard Jayson Castro, as well as young gun Jio Jalalon and versatile forward Troy Rosario for Sunday’s clash.
Also expected to show up once more is the PBA’s reigning four-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, who was the lone bright spot for Gilas, as he collected 15 markers against the taller and more seasoned Boomers frontline.
Though heavily favored, eyes will be on the home team on how will they address their shooting from the charity stripe. That was one of their main issues against the Australians, as they only made seven of the 19 shots they had.
