Next phase in PH preparations: Scouting World Cup opponents

By Peter Atencio

NOW that the Philippines knows its grouping in the coming FIBA World Cup, the next phase of its preparations is knowing and familiarizing itself with its opponents.

Gilas Pilipinas was bracketed in Group A with the Dominican Republic, Italy and Angola during the World Cup draw ceremonies on Saturday evening at the Araneta Coliseum.

This made Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes wary, since their three opponents will be equally dangerous, as proven in their previous encounters with their would-be Group A rivals.

“It is what it is. Good thing now is that we have clarity on whom we’re playing,” said Reyes as soon as he learned what is in store for Gilas.

The Philippines didn’t have any success against these teams in the recent past.

During the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Foshan, China, the team, which was then coached by Yeng Guiao and led by naturalized player Andray Blatche, was blown away by Italy, 62-108.

In the same tournament, the Filipinos succumbed to a heartbreaking 81-84 overtime loss to the Angolans.

Two years later in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia, an all-cadet Gilas Pilipinas team suffered a 27-point loss to the Dominican Republic, 67-94.

But observers believe that the Philippines can be competitive this time around since Gilas is preparing at its own homecourt. Plus, the team will either have a certified difference maker in NBA star Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz, or, many-time PBA Best Import and newly naturalized Filipino Justin Brownlee, who has seamlessly fit into the team.

“The next phase is to look at the teams that we’re playing, and select the players, and