Fiba World Cup: Angola coach accepts ‘reality’ of facing tough teams in Group A

Members of Angola during a photoshoot ahead of the Fiba World Cup. –FIBA BASKETBALL

MANILA, Philippines — Angola coach Pep Clarós is wary of Jordan Clarkson and Gilas Pilipinas and the rest of the stacked Group A in the Fiba World Cup 2023 starting on Friday at Philippine Arena.

Although the Black Antelopes are facing the Philippines in their second game of the group stage on Sunday, Clarós is already bracing for the host, composed of NBA star Clarkson and “athletic and excellent shooters.”

“The Philippines is a very athletic team compared also to the past. A lot of guys that can shoot, excellent shooters. They have a beast like Clarkson that obviously is going to give a lot of 20-point games and all of these. He can shoot and he’s a scorer,” said the Spanish coach during the introductory press conference at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday.

The Angola coach also knows the impact of the home crowd for the Philippines, but he promises that his team, bannered by NBA big man Bruno Fernando, won’t back down.

“They play home, they will have support and we know it’s gonna be a tough game. But for them, too. I guarantee that this is gonna be a good game to watch,” he said.

In facing the Philippines, history is on the side of Angola. The Black Antelopes handed a heartbreaking 84-81 defeat to Gilas, led by June Mar Fajardo, Kiefer Ravena Ravena, and CJ Perez, in overtime to win one of their three matches in Group C of the 2019 Fiba World Cup.

Angola opens its Group A campaign against powerhouse Italy on Friday, 4 p.m., at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

ITALY A GOLD MEDAL CONTENDER

Clarôs, who started calling the shots for the Black Antelopes two years ago, wants his team to accept the reality that Azzurri is a tough team and one of the strongest contenders for the Naismith Trophy.

“It’s clear in life you have to accept the reality and I think the best way to face an opponent like Italy is to recognize that this is a very good team, excellent team. Probably candidate to [win] medal,” said the Angola coach.

“NBA players, Euroleague players, shooters, big guys that can shoot and physical. They have everything and once you know that, it’s important to know what to do against them. I think we have to be very humble, recognize that level, and try to play every possession like it is the last one of your life.

“If you fight every possession defensively and you believe in what you’re doing and trying your best, at least you know that you will compete and then we’ll see what will happen.”

“It’s clear too that when you face a team like them you cannot hide and start to say ‘no, we’re gonna do this, we’re gonna be better than that.’ It’s gonna be difficult, you have to accept that it’s gonna be tough and we have to prepare for that. Don’t lie on this reality otherwise, this is gonna bring you frustration. In life, you have to accept how you are and how you can win,” he added.

The No.41 Angola will be making its ninth World Cup appearance, parading Atlanta Hawks center Fernando, Jilson Bango, Silvio Sousa Still, and Childe Dundao.

The Black Antelopes will also battle the Karl-Anthony Towns-led Dominican Republic on August 29 as they are seeking to surpass their 27th place in China last 2019.

“They made some upsets already in the preparation. Almost beat Spain, they beat Canada. They are winning and losing against the tough teams and also they add one or two NBA players. It looks like they are kinda very good but it’s the same 5 on 5, one ball, and two baskets. We’ll see. What is important is the mental state. How our players will face the reality and knowing that we still have the opportunity to fight and believe,” Clarós said.