Games on Friday
(SM MOA Arena)
2 p.m. – Iran vs New Zealand
5 p.m. – Syria vs Australia
8:30 p.m. – Philippines vs Jordan
CAN’T really deny this one: Gilas Pilipinas is standing on shaky ground in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers (WCQ).
Holding a 2-4 card and eight points carried over from the first round, the Nationals occupy fifth in Group E — outside the Top 3 and best fourth-placer cutline heading into the final push.
From here, the Filipinos have six games in Round 2 to get the results needed to catch up against Australia (12 on 6-0), Iran (11 on 5-1), Jordan (11 on 5-1) and New Zealand (10 on 4-2), hold off Syria (8 on 2-4) and ultimately crack the Magic 3 or 4.
And they better make their big move now. Not later.
“We already discussed that we can’t lose one or two games. We have to go shoot for being perfect (in the last six matches) and give ourselves a chance to make the World Cup,” said Gilas star Dwight Ramos.
As if facing a can’t-afford-to-lose situation isn’t challenging enough, Mr. Ramos and Co. have to press forward without Justin Brownlee (JB), their heart and soul. Mr. Brownlee is sitting out Gilas’ back-to-back assignments in the WCQ’s Window 4 against Jordan on Friday and Iran on Sunday due to health issues.
“It’s going to take everybody; it’s not going to be one person that makes up for JB’s absence. All of us have to pitch in and contribute any way that we can,” said Chris Newsome.
First up for Gilas, which is welcoming back Kai Sotto to the fold, is Jordan on Friday at the SM MOA Arena. The 8:30 p.m. tiff rekindles the rivalry between the finalists in the last Asian Games in Hangzhou.
“We’re familiar with Jordan. We’ve known their key players (Ahmad Hekmat) Al-Dwairi and (Freddy) Ibrahim,” said coach Tim Cone, who was also at the helm when Gilas beat the Falcons for Asiad glory, 70-60.
“The guy that we’re going to have to be really concerned about, he’s their Justin Brownlee, is Jalen Harris, who’s a former NBA guy. He’s averaged 27 points so far so we’re going to have to find some stoppers to go against him. Harris makes them very formidable.”
Mr. Cone needs all hands on deck for this — including Gilas’ “Sixth Man.”
“We’re really fortunate that it’s here in Manila, that we’re playing in front of a home crowd,” he said of all the Group E matches hosted by the country in Window 4.
“We hope everybody will come and cheer because we need every little ounce of energy they can give us and fuel our never-say-die spirit.” — Olmin Leyba