FIBA-Asia championships hindi lang China at Iran ang aabangan

MANILA, Philippines - Bukod sa nagdedepensang China at two-time champion Iran, inaasahan ding makikipagsabayan ang Gilas Pilipinas sa Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Japan at Chinese Taipei sa 27th FIBA-Asia Men’s Championships.

Para kay Gilas coach Chot Reyes, paborito pa rin ang China at Iran sa torneong nakatakda sa Agosto 1-11 na lalaruin sa MOA Arena sa Pasay at sa Ninoy Aquino Stadium sa Manila.

“Obviously, Iran and China are head and shoulder above anybody else in the competition. And I think we’re in equal footing with Korea, Jordan, Qatar and Kazakhs­tan,” wika ni Reyes.

“I’m not overlooking Japan and Chinese Taipei. Taipei is now really strong because of Quincy Davis. They’re like Kazakhstan which has become a lot better because of the addition of a player (naturalized point guard Jerry Johnson) that they need,” dagdag pa ng mentor.

Sinabi pa ni Reyes ang Gilas , Korea, Jordan, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Japan at Chinese Taipei ay ang mga koponang maaaring tumalo sa isa’t isa.

Kung gusto ng Gilas na makabawi sa kanilang fourth-place finish sa nakaraang Asian championship, dapat talunin ng Nationals ang mga Koreans, Jordanians, Qataris, Kazakhs, Japanese at Taiwanese.