Gilas mas magaang kesa sa Iran -- Matic

CHANGSHA, China – Para kay Lebanon coach Veselin Matic, mas kaya nilang labanan ang Gilas Pilipinas kesa sa nagdedepensang Iran sa quarterfinal round ng 2015 FIBA Asia Championship dito.

“No Iran, now Philippines. We can play Philippines easy, easy,” wika ni Matic.

“We are the underdogs 100 percent but that’s the best position when you’re out. Everybody likes it. No pressure. You just have to play,” dagdag pa ng European mentor.

Ang Gilas Pilipinas ang kumuha sa No. 1 spot sa Group E at makasagupa ang Lebanon na sinikwat ang No. 4 seat sa Group F.

Si Matic ay isang two-time FIBA Asia champion coach ng Iran at mayroon siyang magandang winning record laban sa Gilas Pilipinas mula sa panahon ni Serbian coach Rajko Toroman.

“We don’t care too much. He’s (Blatche) a very good player. I’m very surprised he’s not in the NBA. His quality is of a tough, tough NBA player. But he’s now a little bit out of shape. I have scouted him from the FIBA World Championship,” sabi ni Matic.