By WAYLON GALVEZ
Games Friday (Manama, Bahrain)
1 p.m. – India vs Lebanon
4 p.m. – Philippines vs Thailand
7 p.m. – Iraq vs Bahrain
An all-amateur Gilas Pilipinas starts its campaign in Window 2 of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers against Thailand in a bubble in Manama, Bahrain today.
This Gilas team formed less tan a month ago is playing the first of two games against Thailand after FIBA approved the final schedule of the qualifying tournament restart after months of delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tasked to guide the team by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is veteran mentor Jong Uichico, who helped the national team win the gold in the Southeast Asian Games in 2015 and 2017.
Uichico sees Thailand as a tough assignment for them, considering the quality of opponent they will face and the preparation time they had.
“They are an experienced and cohesive team. As far as their submitted lineup is concerned, they do not have a naturalized player,” said Uichico, a nine-time PBA champion coach.
The game between the Philippines and Thailand is 4 p.m. (9 p.m. Manila time).
Thailand, which captured the silver medal in last year’s Southeast Asian Games here behind Gilas’ all-pro team coached by Tim Cone, will parade an all-pro squad against the Nationals in the Bahrain bubble.
Although the Thais’ 10-man roster doesn’t include Tyler Lamb, who suited up for UCLA and Long Beach State in the US NCAA, Uichico said he expects a tight match up against Thailand, considering the opposing team’s experience playing in international tournaments.
