Thai ace marked man versus RP five

KUALA LUMPUR – Check No. 10 and you virtually check Thailand.

"Basically, Thailand is a one-man army, so if you check No. 10, half the battle is won," said RP coach Boycie Zamar, referring to shifty, sweet-shooting Thai swingman Pramoch Janthariyom.

The Filipinos gun for their third straight win in the 21st Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball tournament against the Thais at 8 p.m. Thursday at the MABA gym in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown.

Zamar said he will tap Ruben dela Rosa and Eddie Laure to take turns in harassing Pramoch, adding that No. 5 (Apaipong) and No. 9 (Chainarong) are also dangerous players that his charges will have to watch closely.

"This Thai team has been together for five years so you can’t take them lightly. Bale tatlong youth players lang ang nadagdag sa kanila," he said.

The Thais are expected to fight like wounded tigers after dropping a 77-81 decision to Indonesia last Tuesday, which is another cause for concern for the RP mentor.

But with a deep bench, Zamar said, the Nationals will be employing their vaunted running game to pull away early from the opposition.

"We are good up to the 12th man while Thailand relies only on seven players," Zamar said.

After two games, the coach was glad that his team has not suffered any serious injuries except for Vince Hizon who twisted his right ankle during the RP cagers’ 100-40 rout of Vietnam last Tuesday.

"But it’s just a mild sprain so you can expect me to be ready against Thailand," said Hizon, who, at 31, is the "senior citizen" of the squad.