Philippines has ‘very good chance’ of making the semis in FIBA-Asia

Chot Reyes answers some questions from the press FIBA ASIA PHOTO by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines – Undaunted and confident, Smart Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes is upbeat on the Philippines’ shot in the coming 27th FIBA-Asia Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“We have a very good chance of making it to the semifinals,” Reyes assessed during the FIBA-Asia Championship presser at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Tuesday afternoon.

“Beyond that, the beauty and the unpredictability of the format is that any team can beat any team,” Reyes said.

The Philippines, placed in Group A, opens its quest for a slot at next year’s World Championship in Spain against lightweight Saudi Arabia on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. before facing a young Jordan team, which will be without its injured star Sam Daghles, Friday night.

Three out of the four teams in Group A will advance to the second round where only four of the six squads will move on to the quarterfinals.

Reyes knows it gets tougher in the knockout quarters with perennial powerhouse teams China, Iran and Korea are possible match-ups for the Philippines.

“Anyone of those teams can beat the other on any given night. That just shows the enormity of the task,” he added.

Admittedly, Reyes said the Philippines, which also faces dangerous Taiwan in the opening round, will have to get used to dealing with size disadvantage.

“We don’t have the height. That has been the Philippines’ deficiency way back. We don’t have their size and time that they have but I think we have the skills, the desire to compete and put our best and I’m sure we have the crowd support.

Related Stories:

Chot’s final 12 is PH ‘A-Team’ for Fiba Asia

Gilas Pilipinas coach wary of hot-shooting Kazakhstan

Smart Gilas bares team for Fiba Asia; Belga fails to make cut