Make or break right in opener for cagebelles

HO CHI MINH (Via Globe Telecom)–For the Philippine women’s basketball team, it’s good or bust right off the opener here as it has reigning Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) champion Thailand as its first assignment at the Military Zone 7 Competition Hall.

"Laban kami sa medal play o out na kami. Must-win game agad kami," said RP coach Arturo "Bay" Cristobal in their 6:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m. in Manila) tiff with the Thais.

But Cristobal is hopeful of their chance, saying their two-week training in China toughened up his team for the grind here.

"It’s anybody’s game. We’re ready and confident.

Mataas ang morale ng team dahil nga sa training namin sa China," Cristobal said.

"We declined an invitation to play in an invitational tournament in Hong Kong to be in China. Mas malalaki at mas malalakas ang nakalaban namin doon," he added.

Cristobal also recalled their tough stands versus the Thais in the 2001 SEAG and the recent SEABA both held in Kuala Lumpur. "Sa SEABA, three points lang kami tinalo niyan."

Cristobal said their objective is to take it one game at a time, thus, they have set aside for the moment the fear sown here by the Chinese recruits of the Singapore squad.

"Saka na namin sila pagiisipan. Basta alam namin na hindi lang Thailand at Malaysia ang kalaban namin.

Pati Singapore kalaban na rin," he said.

During the team managers’ meeting, the Philippine team sought clarification on FIBA eligibility rules on naturalized players. FIBA officials said any team can field any number of such players as long as they were naturalized before they reached the age of 16.

"Kaya pala hindi sila naglaro sa Kuala Lumpur, masyado pang bata yong mga naturalized nila," said Cristobal.