Nationals test new-look HK 5

MANILA, Philippines - Gilas Pilipinas wraps up its elimination round campaign against a Hong Kong team which has assumed a new look and perspective playing in the regionals curiously under the tutetage of two Filipino brothers.

Derrick and Dindo Pumaren will be on the former Crown Colony side when it clashes with the host at 8:30 p.m. in the final day of the elimination stage of the 27th FIBA Asia Championship.

They have been fixtures in the tourney, helping out Hong Kong in its comeback appearance in the regional meet.

Through Hong Kong nationals whom they befriended from their days with the Philippine team, the Pumaren brothers were recruited to help the famous Wingling club team in the Hong Kong league.

And with Wingling players forming majority of the HK squad, the Pumarens were also sought to help out the national team.

Derrick and Dindo take pride Hong Kong has got improvement in its game.

“They have improved. They’ve learned to play the game,” said Dindo. “You can see that they can now put a semblance of a fight unlike before when they lose games by 80 points or more.”

Still, Hong Kong isn’t yet fully competitive. It has lost all its first four games and isn’t expected to be a problem for Gilas Pilipinas.

The East Asian minnow is doomed to play in the consolation round after dropping its game against Jordan, 54-80, yesterday.

The three other teams likely to be relegated in the battle for ninth to 12th places are Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and India.

The Filipinos will surely be all business against the HK team in chase of a win that will boost its bid for high seeding in the quarterfinals set Friday.

Dindo, however, is sure Hong Kong won’t grieve.

“Basketball is not their priority. Hong Kong has good players now. The problem is that these players have jobs, and that is their priority,” Dindo explained.