Gilas Pilipinas hopes to end its disastrous FIBA World Cup campaign on a bright note in Sunday’s classification round match against Iran at the Wukesong Sports Arena in Beijing.
The national cagers try to finally get a win that eluded them for four games in Foshan and the Chinese capital while also looking to spoil Iran’s quest to secure a direct slot to the Tokyo Olympics.
Game is set at 8 p.m. with Gilas also eyeing a slot in next year’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the country’s last chance of making the Tokyo Games.
One thing that concerns Gilas is whether confidence has become an issue after losing a combined margin of 105 points to Italy and Serbia, a heartbreaking overtime setback opposite Angola and an 86-67 defeat to Tunisia.
Friday’s loss to Tunisia coupled with China’s 77-73 win over South Korea in Guangzhou ended Gilas’ quest of an outright Olympic slot.
While having a good chance of beating Iran, Gilas failed to get to score one during their two encounters in last year’s World Cup Asian Qualiifers.
The Nationals fell 81-73 to the Iranians in Tehran last Sept. 13 before failing to capitalize on the absence of Hamed Haddadi and Samad Nikkah Bahrami and dropped a 78-70 decision in early-December at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Haddadi and Bahrami are back in the world stage for the Iranians, who opened the classifications with a win over Angola.
Prior to that, Iran lost all three matches in Group C held in Guangzhou, including close setbacks to Puerto Rico and world power Spain.
Coach Yeng Guiao looks to get something out of Andray Blatche, Kiefer Ravena, June Mar Fajardo and PBA rookies CJ Perez and Robert Bolick, the two players who performed well since the start of FIBA’s global showpiece.
Troy Rosario, Roger Pogoy showed some promise despite their struggles but are aiming to help Gilas deliver the elusive win. (Jonas Terrado)