‘Lack of maturity’ led to Gilas loss to Iran, says Yeng Guiao

Japeth Aguilar (25) of Gilas Pilipinas protects teammate Jayson Castro (7) from the defense of Iran as the latter drives to the basket. FIBA

MANILA – “Lack of maturity” cost Gilas Pilipinas their chances against Iran in their 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers game Monday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City where the former lost 70-78, the Philippine head coach said.

Their lack of experience showed when the players committed numerous unnecessary fouls and crucial turnovers in the endgame, said Yeng Guiao.

Marcio Lassiter, who waxed hot earlier in the game, fouled out after giving up a foul on a steal attempt with under two minutes left, while Scottie Thompson committed two passing errors that allowed Iran to widen its lead late in the game.

“I felt it’s lack of maturity for our team,” Guiao said. “I saw that they were giving their best but in the crucial point in the game we made some bad decisions and some crucial breaks.”

“For a while there we thought we had a really good chance of winning the game,” he said. “For the most part of the game we were holding on to a small lead and we were on the verge of breaking out. It just did not happen toward the endgame.”

In addition the Gilas players – mostly newcomers in the national men’s basketball team – have yet to adjust to FIBA’s fouling system that led them to giving Iran numerous free throws, Guiao pointed out.

“We gave up too many free throws again. That’s the problem, I guess – we’re not really accustomed to the officiating,” he said. “We don’t know how certain calls are made in the international game. But that’s something we should be responsible for.”

Despite the loss, Guiao remained optimistic of their chances to advance to the competition proper – by winning even just one of their sixth-window games, against Qatar and Kazakshtan.

“I still feel this is a good team. I still feel this is a strong team,” he said. “If the chances are slimmer going to the World Cup, I still feel we can do it. Alam kong kaya pa rin natin.”/PN

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