Gilas cadets test mettle vs Singapore

MANILA, Philippines – The Gilas cadet team, having played one game, will likely be more loose and more lethal in taking on Singapore in Day Three of the 2016 SEABA Stankovic Cup in Bangkok, Thailand on Tuesday.

 

The Gilas cadets ride the momentum of their 108-84 victory over the Malaysians Sunday as they set out for their 4 p.m. (5 p.m. in Manila) setto with the Singaporeans, an emerging regional force finishing third in both the last SEABA Championship and last SEA Games.

 

The Filipinos were hardly threatened by the Malaysians but coach Nash Racela was far from impressed of their performance.

 

“Our timing is not really good yet. But I know we’ll play better the next few games,” said Racela during the TV interview.

 

The Gilas cadet coach said they have to improve on their defense. “We can’t allow our opponents to score more than 80 points every ball game,” he said.

 

The Filipinos banked on their offensive arsenal to smother the Malaysians.

 

The Singaporeans have made inroads in SEABA basketball the last few years, thanks to progress gained on their participation in the Asean Basketball League.

 

They have developed gunners including guard Wei Long Wong and forward Qingde Wu who scored 17 and 16 points, respectively, in their 56-72 loss to the Marcus Douthit-reinforced Philippine team during the 2015 SEABA Championship in Singapore.

 

Singapore finished third behind the Philippines and Malaysia in that tourney.

 

In the succeeding SEA Games also in Singapore, the home team avoided an elims match-up with the Philippines and made the medal round where they won the bronze over Thailand, 54-49.

 

Thus, the Singaporeans have high spirits going to this Bangkok joust.