MANILA, Philippines — Kahit nanalo sa African team Ivory Coast, hindi dapat maging kampante ang Gilas Pilipinas sa FIBA World Cup.
Ito ang inihayag ni dating national team coach Norman Black kung saan iba ang labanan sa FIBA World Cup proper.
Natalo man ng Gilas ang Ivory Coast, hindi ito dapat magpakampante sa pagharap nito laban sa Angola.
“Angola does have other good players, like they have a very good point guard and a small forward who has won an MVP in their pro league a couple years ago so we can’t take that team for granted,” ani Black sa programang The Game.
Kasama ng Gilas ang Angola sa Group A gayundin ang Dominican Republic at world No. 10 Italy.
Makakasagupa ng Gilas squad ang Angola sa Agosto 27.
Babanderahan ang Angola ni many-time AfroBasket champion at NBA player Bruno Fernando.
“He’s more of an inside player. The way I look at him, he’s face up from the perimeter, 20 feet, quick dribble and go to the basket scorer,” ani Black.
Naglaro si Fernando para sa Houston Rockets at Atlanta Hawks kaya’t malalim ang karanasan nito.
“But it has to be near the basket because he’s not taking an outside shot, though he’s setting screens or setting scorers, so those are his strengths,” dagdag pa ni Black.