By MARK REY MONTEJO
China’s naturalized player Kyle Anderson, known by his heritage name as Li Kaier, is expecting a tough game from the co-host Philippines when they clash in the classification round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Anderson, 29, said they need to learn from their previous games, including a 107-89 defeat to Puerto Rico on Wednesday, if they are to beat Gilas on Saturday.
Like the Chinese, Gilas is determined to nail its first win in the global showpiece due to mounting pressure from almost everybody, notably the bashers.
“I think we just have to look at how we can get better with this game and try to go out there and play hard the next game and figure it out. We need some time to prepare,” Anderson said to the media after their game against Puerto Rico, on Wednesday, Aug. 30, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
“We’re not quitters. We’re gonna keep fighting, I don’t think anyone in this team has any quit in them so we’re gonna keep going.”
“It’s going to be an intense environment. They’re a really good team and they’ve got some good players over there and have their crowd on their side. It’s going to be a tough but fun environment,” he added.
The 6-foot-9 cager reiterated that it’ll be fun facing familiar foe like Jordan Clarkson of Gilas Pilipinas.
“I’ve been playing against him since college, so it’s always fun to go against him. And that’s one of my friends off the court, so it’ll be fun to compete,” said Anderson.
China is set to meet Gilas on Saturday.
