Crucial stretch

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Though already assured of a seat in the next round of the Fiba World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers, Gilas Pilipinas is taking its clash with Chinese Taipei on Friday as a must-win, not only because of the carryover format of the tournament, but for something literally big.

The Filipinos will be trying to shoot two birds with one stone in their 7 p.m. clash with the Taiwanese at Taipei Heping gym, located in a district in eastern Taichung.

Not only will they be gunning for a win to stay in second spot in Group B, but they also need to play well to gather enough momentum for a huge match with Australia three days later.

Gilas, with a 3-1 record, slugs it out with Australia on July 2 at Philippine Arena in Bocaue in Bulacan, and Jayson Castro knows one thing that didn’t happen last February that led to a 68-84 loss by the Filipinos in Melbourne.

“We need our run and gun offense to be effective because that’s what we missed in the first game against Australia,” Castro told Fiba.com after the Nationals arrived in Taipei on Monday.

Run and gun

“They (Aussies) were bigger than us, and they slowed the game down, that’s why we couldn’t get into a good rhythm,” added Castro, who missed the Australia game in Melbourne due to an ankle injury.

“They stopped our fastbreak attack, so we need to do better with our run and gun. That’s the true game of Gilas Pilipinas.”

That run-and-gun game couldn’t be put to better use against a Taiwanese side that is itching for payback, the hosts being the Filipinos’ whipping boys for the last five years.

“For sure it’s going to be hard because Chinese Taipei needs to beat us to get to the next round,” Castro, voted twice as Asia’s best point guard, said.

“I expect their preparation to be better because they are pressured to win at home.

Must-win

“In a way, we’re also in a must-win situation because our wins will be carried over to the next round. We really need to focus more because of this format.”

Taiwan has recalled some of its stars playing in the China Basketball Association knowing how important this game is.

A loss against Gilas in their  match this Friday will put the Taiwanese in a do-or-die game with Japan on July 2, also at home.

Improved team

This will be the perfect tuneup for the Filipinos heading into the game against the Aussies, who are unbeaten in four matches and have gotten even more formidable with the addition of Milwaukee Bucks Matthew Dellavedova and the 7-foot Thon Maker.

Castro, though, welcomes the challenge.

“It will be good for us to face NBA players, the experience will benefit us and raise our level of play,” he said.