The Philippines is the defending champion in 5×5 basketball in the Asian Games. But Gilas Pilipinas’ two lopsided losses to South Korea—an 81-55 pummeling and a 69-42 dismantling—in tune-ups don’t necessarily inspire high hopes for another golden finish.
Head coach Tim Cone is unfazed, though, and has vowed that he and the rest of the Gilas coaching staff “will be better” as the days to tip-off tick away.
“Me and our staff will be better, and we’ll be better in helping our players prepare for what’s ahead,” said Cone after the Nationals’ 69-42 loss on Sunday to the South Koreans.
Deputy Gilas coach Richard Del Rosario, perhaps aware of the challenge that lies ahead, is among those who have been busy as the coaching staff, according to him, are now deep in their preparations for every team the Nationals will be facing.
“We cannot take any team for granted,” Del Rosario admitted. “We started preparations and scouting, those things.”
A Tricky Elimination for Gilas
If the two tune-up blowouts are any indication, Gilas Pilipinas is in for a challenging road ahead with Bahrain, Kazakhstan, and China on the horizon. China is obviously the biggest roadblock in the early goings of the tournament, but Bahrain and Kazakhstan could spring a few surprises here and there—especially if Robert Bolick and company play anything like they did against the South Koreans.
Big man Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser acknowledged that the team is “still building” and is hoping for the best for Gilas, which was formed just three weeks ago.
“We’re still building, we’re still processing as a team,” he said. “It may not click right away, but when it clicks, hopefully it’s at the right time and we’ll be able to have a good finish here.”
Indeed, a man can hope and a fan base can dream. But Gilas Pilipinas will need to speed things up and play a lot better when the games that matter tip off starting on September 11 with a date against Bahrain.
Otherwise, the Philippines could be finished early.
