Sinag five next takes on winless Myanmar

Athletes and officials from the Philippine contingent wave as they parade into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 27th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013. AP

NAYPYITAW—Sinag Pilipinas warms up for the tough grind ahead as it squares off with winless Myanmar Wednesday in the 27th Southeast Asian Games basketball tournament at Zayar Thiri Indoor Stadium A here.

Coach Jong Uichico wants a more cohesive and defensively sound unit to take the floor in the 4 p.m. game as Sinag braces for battle against contenders Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia in the next three days.

Despite victories against Singapore and Cambodia, Uichico feels Sinag—made up of the finest collegiate players back home and reinforced by Marcus Douthit—has yet to play to its full potential.

“We must be consistent with our game, especially our defense, and Myanmar should be another gauge on how far we’ve come,” said Uichico.