Chot concerned on Gilas capability to attack foes' zone defense

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas coach Chot Reyes is hoping they’re able to squeeze the best they can in the mere 12-day preparation they had for the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup where they open their campaign against titleholder China on Wednesday in Beirut, Lebanon.

In that brief period, Reyes fast-tracked all the preparations he believed needed to make Gilas competitive against the heavyweights of Asia and Oceania in the meet that actually fires off Tuesday.

Opening-day games pit Kazakhstan versus New Zealand and Lebanon opposite Korea in Group C, and Japan against Australia and Hong Kong versus Taipei in Group D.

The Philippines goes up against China, then Iraq tangles with Qatar in Group B games while Iran tackles India then Jordan squares off with Syria in Group A matches on Wednesday.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas patron Manny V. Pangilinan was in the airport early Sunday morning to personally wish the team well in its departure for Beirut.

Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar played their game against NLEX in Calasiao, Pangasinan Friday night and rushed to NAIA to catch their flight.

San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo did join the trip despite a calf injury. He said he will play if he gets better.

At the end of their training in Manila Saturday, Reyes mentioned their readiness against zone defense — or lack of it — as among his concerns.

 “We’ve got to get used to attacking the zone. But these guys don’t normally face the zone in their careers in the PBA and all that,” said Reyes on a TV5 interview.

“We’ve got to make sure the evolution of offense gets to that zone part already because that problem we had in the Jones Cup when we faced Korea, ika nga yung curriculum namin wala pa doon,” he pointed out.

They have had their preparation for the zone in their training after the Jones Cup, and Reyes hopes it helps in their Asia Cup campaign.

“We’ve got to have a better understanding of how to attack the zone. Pero kulang pa talaga,” Reyes said.

Tall teams play zone defense most of the time in international play.

“Another part here is we may know what to do here in practice but we’re not facing seven footers. When we face China, we face seven footers and 6-foot-8 frontline minimum, and we don’t see it here,” Reyes added.

“We may be able attack it here, but we’ll it be the same when we get in Lebanon. That’s the value of playing tune-up games. When you play tune-ups, good quality competitions, it prepares you for that kind of competition. But we don’t have that luxury here.”

 In preparation for the Lebanon conclave, the Gilas Asia Cup team was limited to tune-ups or scrimmages versus the Gilas cadets that are being prepared for the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.