Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes reminded basketball fans that the national team’s 81-71 loss to Estonia is part of the Filipinos’ learning curve as they prepare for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Plagued by 23 turnovers and falling behind by as many as 22 points, Gilas managed to narrow the gap at three points in the final period, before succumbing to Estonia’s solid shooting down the stretch to drop its first tuneup match.
“Unfortunately we had 23 turnovers because it’s our first game together as a team,” Reyes told One Sports’ Carlo Pamintuan, whose interview was posted at the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ Facebook account.
“I told the team we’re going to struggle. I thought we didn’t play good defense in the first half.”
The Filipinos managed to stage that rally in the second half, which the Gilas mentor credited to a better team defense.
“In the second half, we tightened up a lot more that got us back into the game,” he said.
Still, Reyes believes the first turnout was something they expected, especially against
an Estonia five that played aggressively from the get-go.
“They (Estonia team) were in great shape and they pressured a lot, and that’s why we decided to play this game because we knew we’ll be tested offensively and defensively,” shared Reyes, whose team didn’t have PBA reigning Most Valuable Player Scottie Thompson due to back spasm.
Reyes added that Gilas still has. “long way to go” in its objective.
“We still have a long way to go, still have a lot work to be done because this is work in progress,” he said.
Gilas will have little time to rest as it faces Finland late Wednesday evening (11 p.m. Manila time) also in Tallin.
*****
Credit belongs to : www.manilatimes.net
