Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 24) – Gilas Pilipinas is bracing for an expected tough game against India in their opening 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday.
Gilas head coach Chot Reyes noted India’s tremendous improvement in basketball skills throughout the past years, and their chemistry will play a big role in their game.
“I told our players that we have to completely be ready for a very tough game against India. They are a tall team, well-coached, and they have been together for a long time,” Reyes said in an interview on Thursday.
Gilas guard Dwight Ramos said he is having jitters as it will be his first time to play at the Big Dome, but added he is looking forward for a good showing against India in front of the home crowd.
“It makes every game more important because we only have two (games) this window, so we have to make sure to put out a good fight and try to win in those games,” said Ramos.
The Veselin Matic-coached Indian side lost to New Zealand in their opening game on Thursday, 101-46.
The Indian team will be bannered by team captain Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, power forward Prashant Singh Rawat, and Princepal Singh.
Meanwhile, Reyes lamented the withdrawal of rival South Korea since it affected their game plan, and how they will rotate their players throughout the five-day basketball affair.
“With four games, I was very confident and we had a pretty good idea and a plan on how to play all 15 players on the roster. Now with two games, admittedly, that’s going to be a problem,” the Gilas mentor said.
The champion coach added that their previous game plan – with their two games against the South Koreans in mind – would have allowed him to give playing opportunity to his players who have not played in a FIBA game.
South Korea pulled out of the qualifying window after most of its players got infected with COVID-19.
With their botched first game against South Korea scheduled on Thursday, Gilas now holds a 1-0 record tied with New Zealand in Group A of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Reyes has yet to reveal the 12-man Gilas lineup on their game against India on Friday.
Gilas will also play New Zealand on Sunday, Feb. 27.
