CHANGSHA – Sa kanilang ikalawang sunod na runner-up finish, umaasa si Gilas Pilipinas top gun Jayson Castro na magkakaisa ang mga opisyales ng Philippine basketball para tuluyang mapasakamay ang korona ng susunod na FIBA Asia Championship.
Naniniwala si Castro na nasa likuran lamang ng China ang Pilipinas.
“We know that we can beat them and I’m sure they feel that we can beat them,” wika ni Castro.
“For a two-month training and the absence of some of our guys that we needed here, we’re proud of what we have achieved. Maybe, let’s just make sure the next time that we really unite,” dagdag pa nito.
Umaasa ang iba pang Gilas players na mapapakinggan ang nasabing hinaing ni Castro.
Gusto nila ng solidong programa na suportado ng mga Philippine basketball stakeholders.
Sa katatapos na FIBA Asia finals ay inamin ni Castro na hindi nila nailabas ang tunay nilang laro para talunin ang China sa gold-medal game.
“We came up short. We didn’t hit the outside shots they’re giving to us. In the third quarter, for some reason, our energy went down. Our defensive game plan broke down maybe because we’re already tired,” ani Castro.
“But we have to admit they’re tall and they’re good. They challenged and made it tough for us to take the shots we’re comfortable taking,” dagdag pa nito.