‘Focused’ Thailand braces for Gilas Pilipinas

Wutipong Dasom. PBA IMAGES

Thai forward Wutipong Dasom knows his team has to play a perfect game to upset heavily-favored Gilas Pilipinas or at least put up a stiff challenge on Tuesday.

“In order for us to scare them or challenge them, we have to be composed and play really good basketball. We gotta play our triple-A game for that,” Dasom said after Thailand’s 102-35 demolition of Myanmar on Monday.

Dasom took charge with a tournament-best 40 points on top of 11 rebounds in the victory over the Burmese.

He said the game against Myanmar is just a mere warmup to its clash with the Philippines, which has been unstoppable so far at 3-0.

The 26-year-old Dasom said another key for his squad is to not be intimidated no matter how formidable the Philippine team is.

“The Philippines is a team that even without plays or without coaching, the players know how to play basketball. It’s all about technique and skill in the game, and that’s the advantage the Philippines has all over the countries in Southeast Asia,” he said. “So when it comes down to it, the five players on the court has to understand the game in a way that we can challenge them.”

Thailand also rested its leading scorer Chitchai Ananti and bruiser Chanachon Klahan in the Myanmar game in preparation for its game against Gilas.

“Hopefully, they will be energized and be focused for the game tomorrow. As for me, I’ll go out and play ball no matter if it’s against Myanmar or even against Iran or China. I’ll play my game and perform,” he said.

“In terms of tomorrow, we’re focused. That is our main target, coming here and playing against the Philippines because we knew it’s in Manila, and the Philippines is the number one country in Southeast Asia and their ranking pretty amazing in Asia,” continued Dasom. “It’s gonna be fun, and we’re gonna go out and play, compete, and hopefully give them a challenge.”