Fiba World Cup: Despite loss, Angola ‘confident’ heading into game vs Gilas
Angola’s Childe Dundao during a game against Italy in the Fiba World Cup at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
BOCAUE — Childe Dundao said Angola will be having to lick its wounds quickly after an 81-67 loss to the mighty Italians on the Fiba World Cup’s opening night in the Philippines.
“We lost and we feel bad, but we need to work hard because another game is in front [of] us,” the diminutive playmaker, who starred in the loss with 19 points, said on Friday shortly after the contest at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan province.
The World No. 41 Black Antelopes looked like they were going to upset the No. 10-ranked Azzurri until a fourth-quarter fightback led by Utah Jazz forward Simone Fontecchio and Giampaolo Ricci.
Angola will have every reason to be extra wary with host Gilas Pilipinas on tap in their schedule set Sunday at 8 p.m.
And Dundao swears that they will be coming into the clash at Smart Araneta Coliseum with their spirits hardly broken.
Angola’s Childe Dundao during a game against Italy in the Fiba World Cup at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“We’re confident because we had a good game today, and we’ll try to compete again with the Philippines,” he said.
Bruno Fernando, a big man who plays for the Atlanta Hawks, finished with 13 points and five rebounds, and could very well help Dundao in that task.
Gilas is set to open its campaign against the Dominican Republic later at 8 p.m.
