source: gmanews.tv
Coach Yeng Guiao came to the defense of the Powerade-Team Pilipinas, declaring it still has a lot more to offer come next week’s 25th FIBA-Asia men’s basketball championship in Tianjin, China.
Guiao just came back from Chinese Taipei where the Nationals competed in the 31st William Jones Cup tournament and ended up sixth in a field of eight teams, most of them the same cast of countries seeing action in the FIBA-Asia tilt.
In all, the Nationals registered only two wins as against six losses, two of them against Japan and Korea – teams that are bracketed with the Philippines in Group A of the meet that serves as qualifier for next year’s World Men’s Basketball Championship in Turkey.
“I can see na `yung sense of urgency ng team, wala pa roon. And knowing these players, you will see a different team kapag nandoon na tayo sa Tianjin," said the national coach.
Guiao, however, stressed the RP squad shouldn’t be estimated based on their performance in the Jones Cup. Afterall, the team was formed not exactly for this tournament.
“Let the team be judged after Tianjin," Guiao declared with authority at the PSA Forum Tuesday.
“Basically, the Jones Cup was a feel out tournament for the whole team. I guess even the rest of the field, baka ganun din ang naging mentality.
“But I’m not offering any excuses. I don’t want the players to be distracted by criticisms. I’m assuming full responsibilities for the performance of the team. Actually, I’m already psyching up myself for any criticisms."
In any case, having gauged the strengths and weaknesses of the same opponents his boys will be facing in Tianjin, Guiao certainly likes the National team’s chances.
“Briefly now, we have a good chance of beating teams like Chinese-Taipei, Korea and Japan," he said, adding the FIBA-Asia draw had been favorable to the Philippines.
Owing to that, Guiao sees a good chance for the Nationals to make the quarterfinals.
“Makapasok tayo ng quarterfinals would already be a big improvement from our ninth place finish two years ago," said Guiao, referring to the order of finish achieved by a similar PBA-supported RP five coached by Chot Reyes during the 2007 FIBA-Asia meet in Tokushima, Japan.
“Ngayon, kung makapasok tayo sa semis, piyesta na sa atin yun. Kung maka-tsamba pa, top 3 tayo and pasok sa World Championship next year."
But that would be too much of a wishful thinking.
Guiao said it’s a different story when the Middle East countries like Iran, Jordan and Lebanon are put in the equation.
“These teams (Middle East) puro kumpleto na. They have the size, speed, shooting touch. They have naturalized players and even players who have NBA experience. I think even China will have a hard time dealing against them.
“They are really tough to beat, Yes, they can be beaten, but it would take a lot of effort on our part. Maraming dasal at buwenas ang kailangan natin," added Guiao.
For his part, PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios said Powerade-Team Pilipinas’ performance in the Jones Cup should not be used as a yardstick to measure how it will perform in the FIBA-Asia.
“First of all, the big picture is alam naman natin that this is the team’s first major international stint against basically the same opponent that they will have in Tianjin. So, along the way we’re able to pick up something which might be of a big help to us during the FIBA-Asia," he said.
Guiao readily agreed.
“Actually in those eight games that we had in the Jones Cup, mas marami kaming natutunan than in the last eight months dating back to the time the team was first formed.
“Now, we will bring what we learned in the Jones Cup in these last few days of our practices and incorporate it into our games."
----LINE UP FOR FIBA ASIA----
The team will be composed of Jayjay Helterbrand, Willie Miller, Gabe Norwood, Arwind Santos, Jared Dillinger, Cyrus Baguio, Japeth Aguilar, Kerby Raymundo, Sonny Thoss, James Yap, Asi Taulava, and Mick Pennisi
FIBA ASIA Schedule (1st Round)
Aug 6 (RP vs. Sri Lanka 9AM), Aug 7 (RP vs. Japan 9PM) , Aug 8 (RP vs. Korea 9PM)
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