Ryan optimistic to make Final 4

Gilas Pilipinas assistant coach and Meralco head tactician Ryan Gregorio said recently he’s optimistic the Philippines will make it to the Final Four with China, Iran and another contender which could be Korea, Japan, Lebanon, Qatar or Jordan at the 27th FIBA-Asia Championships here on Aug. 1-11.

“It’s useless to wish for a team to play against in the knockout quarterfinals,” said Gregorio. “We don’t know the strengths of the teams until we find out their lineups and who their naturalized players are. We’ve just got to be ready for everyone. In the first two rounds, our goal will be to win as many games as possible. There’s no luxury in playing out of Group A. If we finish No. 1 or No. 2 out of Groups A and B, we should be fine in the knockout quarterfinals.”

The Philippines is bracketed in Group A with Jordan, Chinese-Taipei and Saudi Arabia. After the first round of eliminations where the last placer in each group is struck out, the Group A survivors play the Group B survivors. Group B is made up of Japan, Qatar, Lebanon and Hong Kong. In the knockout quarterfinals, the top four of Groups A and B battle the top four of Groups C and D with the pairings decided on a reverse crossover basis, meaning No. 1 vs No. 4 and No. 2 vs No. 4. If the Philippines is No. 1 in Groups A and B, it will avoid facing China, Iran and South Korea which are expected to finish 1-2-3 in Groups C and D. The likely opponent is Kazakhstan.

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There is clear danger in the knockout quarterfinals because a loss will mean outright disqualification. At the FIBA-Asia Championships in Wuhan two years ago, No. 1 Iran was upset by No. 4 Jordan in the knockout quarterfinals and wound up No. 5 overall. Iran finished with a record of 8-1 but didn’t make it to the Final Four. In the coming tournament, qualifying for the Final Four will mean two chances to grab one of three tickets for the FIBA World Cup in Spain next year.

Gregorio was on a five-day US trip with PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan during the FIBA-Asia draw at the Manila Hotel last June 6. With Gregorio on the Gilas coaching staff backing up chief strategist Chot Reyes are Jong Uichico, Norman Black, Nash Racela and Josh Reyes. “We closely followed the draw while we were in Monterrey,” said Gregorio. “Bong (Ravena) kept us informed by phone. I think the choice of Group A was the best decision. It was bought in by everyone. We’ll make a strong push to finish No. 1 or No. 2 out of Groups A and B entering the knockout quarterfinals so we avoid playing China or Iran.”

Gregorio said based on accounts of Gilas’ experience in Lithuania, the training camp was a resounding success. Gilas posted a 5-2 record in games against Lithuanian teams, including the European champion Lithuanian 20-and-under squad. The camp addressed issues of familiarity, chemistry, teamwork and execution.

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The Claret Football Center will begin the first of a four-phase training course on June 29 at the school’s field with 12 sessions every Saturday and Sunday, from 7 to 8:30 a.m., up to Aug. 4. The course is open to boys and girls within the age range of 5-12. Claretians and non-Claretians are welcome.

Two-time UAAP champion coach Bob Salvacion of UP is the program head. Salvacion is the former U-19 and U-14 national youth and former Pachanga Diliman senior team coach. His staff includes AFC Aid27 coach Andrew Santiago, Pachanga Diliman U-15 and Claret high school coach Dodjie Locsin, Pachanga Diliman U-11 and Claret midgets C and D coach Benj Anicete, Pachanga Diliman U-11 assistant coach Ranizel Castro, Pachanga Diliman U-13 coach Franco Bambico, Cimarron FC goalkeeper Christopher Datu, Claret football physical therapist Paeng Pagdanganan, 2001 UAAP MVP Stephen Permanes, 2012 UAAP MVP Nathan Octavio, 2011 UAAP best defender Deo Sagunial, U-23 national team player Reymark Fernandez, UP midfielder Michael Simms, UP defender Albert Yatco, former UP winger Israel Mordeno, former UP captain Andrei Mercader, UST assistant coach Carlos Santiago and former Claret high school team captain Viance Villanueva.   

Supporting the Claret football program are Michelle Uy, Karen Pantoja, John Santisteban, Maritel Garcia and the Claret parents. For details on how to join, please call tel. No. 921-6587.