MANILA, Philippines - Filipino basketball legend Robert Jaworski was noticeably missing in Gilas Pilipinas’ game against Chinese Taipei last Saturday. But on Monday, he made sure to personally support the squad in their crucial game against longtime rival Japan at the start of the second round of the 27th FIBA Asia Championship.
The former national team member was in attendance in the Nationals’ impressive 90-71 win against Japan at the Mall of Asia Arena, sharing a piece of advice to the team.
Jaworski’s appeal to Gilas Pilipinas: stay focused and get ready for the bigger battles ahead.
“Let’s face it. Japan didn’t play well so they got to push themselves a little more to prepare for the bigger games that are coming up,†said Jaworski, the popular former Ginebra playing coach.
Jaworski added that Gilas Pilipinas needs to work on their defense and physicality in preparation for the most important stretch of the tournament.
“We got to improve on our defense. They should watch the tapes of the guys that can shoot from way out and stick to them like crazy, let them drive instead of an easy three,†Jaworsk said.
“The team needs to talk more inside the court and help each other. They should play a little tougher on defense and be physical because if you look at the other teams they are really physical too,†added the former Philippine senator.
Fondly called as “The Living Legendâ€, Jaworski is happy with the way the national bounced back game after a heart-breaking 79-84 loss against Taipei last Saturday.
“I didn’t like that loss that is why I made sure to watch the game today. It’s good that we got our morale back from that lost game. We allowed those guys to shoot freely from the outside we should play better tomorrow against Qatar,†said Jaworski.
“It is a good win, but let’s not be happy yet because we still have a long way to go in this tournament,†he ended.
Gilas Pilipinas faces streaking Qatar Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. at the same venue.