Batang Gilas need fiery start vs tall Angolans

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines hopes to come up with a strong start as it slugs it out with a tall Angola side at the start of the Fiba U17 World Championship today at the Al Ahli Arena in Dubai.

Action starts at 3:45 p.m. (7:45 p.m. in Manila) with the Batang Gilas confident of their chances against the 11-time African champions, who are set to field in at least three six-foot-nine players and a score of lanky perimeter shooters and defenders.

“Coming up with a good start is very important. We have to throw the Angolans out of their comfort zone early on,” said Batang Gilas coach Jamike Jarin. “That’s why we’re banking on our starters; Richard Escoto, Mike Nieto, Paul Desiderio, Jolo Mendoza and Matt Nieto. They need to control the game early on.”

The 6-foot-8 Silvio Sousa is tipped to anchor Angola’s defense while wingmen Joao Jungo and Avelino Do are expected to provide firepower for the team which punched a ticket to the Fiba U17 World after beating Egypt in the Fiba Africa U16 Championship in Madagascar last year.

Angola’s coach Manuel Silva said they are here to win because qualifying in the world stage means a lot not only to them, but to their entire country as well.

“Being in the tournament for the first time is historic for the country,” said Silva, a legendary figure in Angolan basketball. “So our first goal is to represent our basketball well, show the world the work we are doing in Angola and remain a continuing presence in world competitions.”

But height will hardly be a factor as the Nationals vowed to use their speed, shooting, heart and hustle to neutralize the Angolans.

In fact, Jarin claimed that after humbling Iran, India and Kazakhstan in the Fiba Asia U16 Championship in Tehran last year, they are already used to play – and win – against teams way taller than them.

“The Angolans are big,” said Jarin. “They are very tall and very long. But if you look at their age, half of them are a year or two younger than the prescribed age. I think that will be favorable for us because in a tournament like this, one or two years difference could be a big factor.”

Jarin, however, pointed out that a lightning-quick start will be their main ingredient to a potential upset.

“This game will show how we’re going to perform in the entire tournament. Our main target is to get better everyday. That’s what brought us here, and hopefully, the trend continues.”

Batang Gilas’ next assignment will be Greece on Saturday before taking a breather on Sunday in preparation for a titanic match up with mighty United States on Monday.