Less than 24 hours after their valiant stand against a 10-man Serbian team to open their 2021 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament-Belgrade campaign, Gilas Pilipinas shifts its focus on world no. 19 Dominican Republic.
But it will be a whole different ballgame when the do-or-die tilt tips off at 2:30AM (Manila time) at the Aleksandar Nikolić Hall.
Unlike the Serbians who like to switch from halfcourt man-to-man and zone a lot, the Dominican Republic just plays physical.
“Dominican has the advantage as they have a game, then get a day of rest before facing us. That’s a huge advantage for Dominican. We like the fact that we did not play on Day One, unlike the OQT. We had the worst schedule,” Gilas head coach Tab Baldwin told Tiebreaker Times.
“And they are a powerful team.“
Despite having an average height of 6-foot-4, the Dominicans make up for it by sheer physicality.
Bigs Angel Nunes, Brayan Martinez, and Luis Santos are enforcer-type players. Meanwhile, floor general Victor Liz is as savvy a veteran as one can be.
Just how physically imposing are these Dominicans? Well despite bowing to Serbia on Day One, 76-94, it was the Eagles who went out of the arena bruised and battered. That resulted in Nemanja Bjelica, Vasilije Micic, and Nikola Kalinic being sidelined the next day.
And Baldwin has to figure out how his young team can keep its composure when push comes to shove.
“We’ve got to get ourselves physically ready to play because this is a tough game and it will take a lot out of the players. But both physically and mentally, we’ve got a quick turnaround so it’s not going to be easy.”
