Phl not tough enough for FIBA’s physical game

MANILA, Philippines - Gilas Pilipinas reserve Beau Belga felt lack of physicality was among the reasons the Nationals went down against Chinese Taipei Saturday night.

“Ilan tao ba ang pumatay sa atin? Dapat ginawan na nila ng paraan yon. (How many players beat us? They should’ve done something about them),” said Belga, the Rain or Shine bruiser.

“Okay lang siguro kung buong team ang tumalo sa atin. Eh ilang players lang naman (It’s okay if it was the whole team that beat us. But it’s just a few players),” added Belga.

Noting they play very physical game in the PBA, the 6-foot-6 center said the Nationals should do the same in the FIBA Asia Championship.

“Nagkakasakitan tayo sa PBA, we should do the same here. Di naman natin kilala yang mga yan. At kung sakaling magkasakitan talaga, next two years mo pa uli makikita yan,” he said.

Lu Cheng Ju, Lin Chih Chieh, Tien Lei and Tseng Wen Ting torched the Filipinos alive, combining for 15 of 26 three-pointers.

Lu sizzled hottest with six treys and  22 points while drawing just one foul from his Filipino defenders.

“Dapat ginawan ng paraan yan,” Belga insisted.

Belga and the Gilas cadet players serve as Team Phl’s scouting players in this FIBA Asia Championship.

They are Gilas’ rivals in practice sessions.