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[av_heading heading=’ FIBA Asia opener: Gilas eyes avenging 2015 loss to China ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas aims to exact revenge on China as they face off in the FIBA Asia Cup at the Nouhad Nawfal Arena in Beirut, Lebanon at 1:30 p.m. today (6:30 p.m. in Manila).
The Philippines targets defeating the defending champion China – opposite what happened during their 2015 FIBA Asia Cup finals encounter.
In a previous face-off – in the Imperial City Tournament last year at the Land Rover Arena in Paladozza, Italy – Gilas scored a 72-69 upset over the Chinese.
Gilas head coach Chot Reyes expects his players to give their all as they aim to top Group B to avoid tougher opponents in the next rounds.
“We have to beat China in Game 1. We have to top our group,” said Reyes. “If we don’t, even if we go all the way to the quarterfinals, chances are we are going to play either New Zealand or Australia, and that’s going to be very, very difficult.”
“We’re completely focused on just getting the team together,” added the returning national team mentor. “As long as we get the group together, we’re going to give any team a good fight.”
PBA veterans leading the squad are Terrence Romeo, Calvin Abueva, Jayson Castro, Japeth Aguilar, Gabe Norwood, and Raymond Almazan. June Mar Fajardo is in the lineup but may not play due to an injury.
Gilas cadets Matthew Wright, Roger Pogoy, Carl Bryan Cruz, and Jiovani Jalalon were also inserted in the Final 12, while Filipino-German Christian Standhardinger will serve as naturalized player.
After China, Gilas will face Iraq on Aug. 11 (9 p.m.) and the last Group B match against Qatar on Aug. 13 (9 p.m.).
Group A features Iran, Jordan, Syria, and India, while Group C comprises host team Lebanon, Kazakhstan, South Korea, and New Zealand. In Group D are Japan, Hong Kong, Chinese-Taipei, and Australia./PN
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