Gilas: All attention on Italians

MANILA, Philippines — For the next four days, FIBA World Cup-bound Gilas Pilipinas focuses all its energy and attention on opening-night opponent Italy.

“We feel that’s our most important game – the Italy game,” said Gilas coach Yeng Guiao when he graced yesterday’s PSA Forum with skipper Gabe Norwood and team manager Gabby Cui. “So all our resources in terms of scouting, in terms of time has been focused on that. “ 

The Nationals need two wins in Group D to advance to the second round and Guiao and Co. see the Italians as possible source of one. After taking on the taller Italians on Saturday, the Filipinos face 2014 World Cup runner-up Serbia on  Sept. 2 before tackling another targeted prey Angola on Sept. 4.

“Our chances against Serbia is quite lower than our chances against Italy. So our resources, time and scouting, we focus on the game where we have greater percentage of winning. Even if we lose to Serbia but we win over Italy and we later beat Angola, we’d be okay,” said Guiao.

Gilas has sent assistants Sandy Arespacochaga and Ford Arao to China ahead of the squad to do some scouting on Italy, a side bannered by NBA players Marco Belinelli of the Spurs and Danilo Gallinari of the OKC Thunder, as well as Serbia, the World No. 4 boasting of five NBA players led by Nikola Jokic (Nuggets) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (Kings). The Azzurri and the Orlovi played in a tuneup last Aug. 23 with the Serbians prevailing, 88-82.

“We were hoping Gallinari and (Luigi) Datome won’t play yet due to injuries but our scouts saw them play in a tuneup against Serbia already. So we’re going to have to face a stronger team with Gallinari and Datome playing. But more or less, we have familiarized ourselves with what they do, with the individual player and we’re going to reinforce that in the coming days,” said Guiao.

President Duterte’s presence at the venue in Foshan should further motivate Gilas against the Italians.

“If the President is there to cheer us up, that’s going to be huge for us,” said Guiao.

Cui said the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is coordinating with the President’s staff to “make sure he gets good seats” and is also arranging for the team to meet Mr. Duterte personally.

“We’re really happy and looking forward to having the President there. We appreciate his support.”