By REYNALD MAGALLON
With a certified NBA star in Jordan Clarkson and an array of top PBA players at his disposal, Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes hopes to hear a different kind of noise after their game against Lebanon in the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asia Qualifiers on Friday.
Under the microscope since their Vietnam SEA Games debacle last May that saw them lose to Indonesia in the gold medal match, Reyes needs to come out victorious this time if he wants to silence his burgeoning critics.
That means the Nationals have to produce an extraordinary game if they are to beat a formidable Lebanon side – the Cedars – at the Nouhad Nawfal Stadium starting at 2 a.m. (Manila time).
For the uninitiated, the Lebanese will be bannered FIBA Asia Cup MVP Wael Arakji.
Apart from Clarkson, who won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2021, many are expecting the 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto to hold his ground against the rugged and heftier Lebanese players, who of course will have the luxury of having a crowd support.
This time expectations are high for the Filipino dribblers to play much better after posting an eve 2-2 record when they played – for the most part – with a lineup composed of collegiate standouts.
First timers Chris Newsome, Roosevelt Adams and Jamie Malonzo lead the new faces for the national team while Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, Calvin Oftana will be the other PBA players making their returns to Gilas.
Still in the crew is the lone collegiate standout in the pool in Carl Tamayo who will be joined by B. League players Dwight Ramos, Ray Parks Jr and brothers Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena.
Seeing these players in practice, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director and spokesperson Sonny Barrios raves at how the lineup differs from the previous Gilas rosters noting that the team showed faster ball movements and less ball hogging.
“Yung ball movement kahapon, nakita ko ang ganda. May mga plays sila na sa totoo lang, ngayon lang namin nakikita. I think they are adapting to specific opponents. Ganun na ‘yung takbo ng preparation natin,” said Barrios referring to Gilas’ practice at the Meralco Gym last Sunday before they flew for Beirut early Tuesday.
“Sa offense, sa nakita ko, fast ball movement including moving without the ball, patience in taking a shot, hindi nagmamadali, give it to the open man, kung may sasalaksak, natakpan, kick out. Move the ball fast. Wala ‘yung mga matagal na ball-hogging na point guard,” he added.
In the most recent contest between the two teams, Lebanon defeated a youth-laden Gilas in the group stage of the FIBA Asia Cup 2022, 95-80.
From that squad, only the Ravena brothers, Parks, and Tamayo were left in the team while the Cedar’s top performers in naturalized center Jonathan Arledge, Sergio El Darwich and sweet-shooting big man Hayk Gyokchan are expected to backstop Arakji anew against the Filipinos.
