MVP not bothered with Gilas' slow start vs Thailand

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas’ longtime patron said he was not worried about the Thais’ close first quarter with Gilas on Tuesday’s SEABA nightcap.

Manny V. Pangilinan, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ chair emeritus, even went on to add that he wasn’t afraid of the Philippine national basketball team losing the game.

“I wasn’t afraid of the team losing. Pero ang dapat na lesson dun eh nagiimprove ang Thailand. One quarter, medyo dikit. Four points lang yun. Syempre malabo na tayo (matalo) ‘cause we’re the better team,” he said.Pero ang dapat na lesson dun eh nagiimprove ang Thailand. One quarter, medyo dikit. Four points lang yun. Syempre malabo na tayo (matalo) ‘cause we’re the better team,” he said.

As far as being the better team goes for Gilas, the hosts indeed were. After a tentative first period, they went out with guns blazing in the next three. The next thing the crowd were looking before they headed out of the Big Dome was a blowout.

Pangilinan, though, noted that the competition is only going to get more interesting as we go on deeper in the tournament—and in the international arena.

“But, in succeeding years, hindi mangyayari ‘yun—they’ll be tougher, they’ll be bigger, they’ll be better. We have to be ready for that as well,” he added.

“I think sa Huwebes, puno ‘yan,” the eight-year former SBP president said. “Kasi have you heard? 'Yung papeles ng two Indonesians eh na-approve.”

“I think they’ll be here tomorrow to play against Myanmar. So of course they’d know we’ll scout them, ‘diba?” he offered.

Indonesia is looking to shore-up their heading into the Gilas game with naturalized cagers Jamarr Johnson, Arki Wisnu getting cleared by FIBA.

“It will be a good game. Doon mababanat yung team,” Pangilinan said.

“Again, maybe (we’ll get that] same lesson with Thailand. Certain countries in Asia are in ascend. We can’t just pretend na we will continue our lead,” he offered.

Gilas and Indonesia will face off on the final day of the tournament (Thursday). Both teams tout an unbeaten card with one more assignment to take on prior tackling each other.