GILAS MASUSUBUKAN VS CAMBODIA

Mga laro sa Huwebes (May 11)

(Morodok Techo Elephant Hall 2)

3 p.m. local time / 4 p.m. Manila time – Singapore vs. Philippines (women)
5 p.m. local time / 6 p.m. Manila time – Philippines vs. Cambodia (men)

PHNOM PENH. – Malalagay sa matinding pagsubok ang redemption bid ng Gilas Pilipinas sa pagsagupa sa Cambodia ngayong Huwebes sa 32nd Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball tilt sa Morodok Techo Elephant Hall 2 dito.

Ang dalawang koponan ay sasalang sa laro sa alas-5 ng hapon (local time) na mataas ang moral makaraang manalo sa kanilang opening games.

Tinambakan ng Gilas ang Malaysia noong Martes, 94-49, habang pinataob ng Cambodia, galing sa golden win sa 3×3 event noong Linggo, ang Singapore, 85- 60, noong Miyerkoles.

Pinalakas ng Cambodia ang kanilang koponan sa pagkuha kina naturalized players Sayeed Pridgett, Brandon Peterson, at Darrin Dorsey, miyembro ng 3×3 squad na tumalo sa Pilipinas sa men’s finals.

Ayon kay Gilas coach Chot Reyes, tatlo pang naturalized players ang nasa Cambodian team din.

“They are a tough team,” sabi ni Reyes.

“You saw the three guys in the 3×3. They have another three. They have like six naturalized players. They are going to be a handful.

“We have to be able to adjust and pivot during the game. We have very little knowledge about their games as a team. We have some information as individuals, but as a team, very little. It’s really a matter of how we can adapt. Our adaptability is going to be tested,” dagdag ni Reyes.

Noong Miyerkoles ay napilitan ang Gilas na maghanap ng ibang venue para sa ensayo makaraang magtakda ang mga organizer ng morning practice sa isang outdoor court.

Nagpahayag din ng pagkabahala si Reyes sa basketball playing surface, na karaniwang ginagamit sa volleyball at badminton games.

“We shouldn’t be playing on a surface like this. This is the situation that we are dealt with. We just have to embrace and accept it,” ani Reyes.

-CLYDE MARIANO