Job not yet done: Gilas Pilipinas eyes first World Cup win vs Angola

Gilas Pilipinas at the Fiba World Cup. FIBA PHOTO

FOSHAN, China—“We still have a lot to play for. This is not over for us.”

Yeng Guiao had that as a message and motivating tool for his Gilas Pilipinas crew during practice Tuesday afternoon, as the Nationals clash with Angola in less than 24 hours to look for their first win in the Fiba World Cup.

Though already relegated to the consolation round after two horrific losses, the Filipinos still have a shot at making the Olympics outright as the best Asian team in the field after China lost to Poland in overtime also Monday night in Beijing.

Angola also has a 0-2 record in Group D and will also play in the consolation pool, making the 3:30 p.m. contest at Foshan International Sports and Cultural Arena here practically no-bearing for both sides.

But Guiao broke it down to his charges perfectly well.

A victory by the Filipinos coupled by another loss by the host Chinese against Venezuela also Wednesday would deny China entry into the next round, hence, a stint in the consolation round as well.

And that is the chance that Guiao and his Nationals would be waiting for, as they will play Iran and then another team, in Beijing, for the right to be the No. 1 Asian.

But, they have to win against Angola first.

“It’s going to be a tough, close game,” Guiao had said Monday about the Angolans, whom he conceded to also have the size advantage on them while parading a merry mix of European league veterans and ex-NCAA Division I players in the United States.

Team Philippines hasn’t played its best game yet, and that could be a good sign for Gilas. The Filipinos could be due for a great one, and it couldn’t come at a better time.

Andray Blatche has been getting the flak back home for his performances in the first two games—against Italy and Serbia—which the Filipinos lost by an average of 52.5 points.

Blatche is averaging just 10 points and will be coming off a five-point effort against Nikola Jokic and the Serbians in a 126-67 loss.

Gilas’ outside guns have also been jammed the first two games, with the team making just a total of seven triples. The three-point shot, Guiao had said, will be key for their campaign here.

Becoming the best Asian team is just one of the goals left for the Nationals, according to Guiao. Gilas also has a chance to improve on its world ranking in the consolation round.

“We came here ranked 31stin the world,” he said. “In the consolation round, we have a great chance to come out of here improving our standing in the world.”

But that, everyone back home knows, is the least consolation prize the country would settle for.