Don’t sell Iraq short

The Philippines plays its third and last Group D game against Iraq at the FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah this Saturday, banking on a win to make it to the next round. Only twice have they met before and the initial encounter was memorable as the Philippines became the first team in Olympic basketball history to score at least 100 points, defeating Iraq, 102-30, at the 1948 London Games. The second came at the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon where the Philippines creamed Iraq, 84-68. Japeth Aguilar is the only holdover from the 2017 team now in Jeddah while Iraq has retained 6-9 Mohammed Al Khafaji, 34, and 6-7 Ali Ismael, 30.

Iraq went through the wringer to qualify for Jeddah. It was one of eight survivors among 18 contenders in the FIBA Asia Cup pre-qualifiers. The teams that didn’t advance included Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Kuwait, Cambodia and Vietnam. Then, Iraq took part in the 24-team qualifiers and joined 15 others to book a ticket to Jeddah. Among the waylaid teams were Thailand, Palestine, Kazakhstan and United Arab Emirates. Iraq clinched the last ticket by beating Bahrain, 85-72 behind long-time naturalized player DeMario Mayfield’s triple double of 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Mayfield, 35, has been with Iraq since acquiring citizenship in 2017. The 6-5 guard from the University of Georgia, University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Angelo State is a hoop vagabond with playing stops in Kosovo, Netherlands, Italy and Venezuela.

To get ready for Jeddah, Iraq set up boot camp in Yalova, Turkey, where the team spent over two weeks training, working twice-a-day practices. The camp included tune-ups against Saudi Arabia and Tunisia. During the Turkey camp, star guard Karrar Hamzah suffered an injury that will knock him out of Jeddah. Assistant coach Aqeel Najm said the camp focused on coordination and improving offensive and defensive aspects. “The players have provided encouraging levels (and) there was a clear commitment from everyone despite some challenges and we are now more prepared for the FIBA Asia Cup,” he said.

Coaching Iraq is Serbian Veselin (Toza) Matic, a 65-year-old veteran who has called the shots for Yugoslavia, Iran, Lebanon and India. He was a scout for the Yugoslavian team that won gold at the 1998 FIBA World Cup in Athens and assistant coach with the same squad that also took gold at the 2002 FIBA World Cup in Indianapolis. Matic piloted Iran to gold at the 2009 FIBA Asia Cup in China.

Mayfield is Iraq’s heart and soul. He’s not only a prolific scorer but also a deft passer whose primary targets for assists are 6-11 Ihab Al-Zuhari, Ismael, 6-3 Hassan Abdullah, Khafaji and 6-9 Abdullah Hayder Alibraheemi. When Iraq faced the Philippines in 2017, Kevin Galloway was still its naturalized player. Khafaji scored eight points and Ismael six in the contest while Aguilar had five points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes.

Vengeance will be on Iraq’s mind in Saturday’s clash with Gilas. It’s not only to avenge the loss in 2017 but also to erase the ignominy of defeat as the first Olympic basketball team to give up at least 100 points in a 72-point loss to the Philippines whose coach was Chito Calvo and players were Manolet Araneta, Ramoncito Campos, Eddie Decena, the Fajardo brothers Gabby and Fely, Bay Mumar, Andy de la Cruz, Primitivo Martinez, Ed Fulgencio and Francisco Vestil.