MANILA, Philippines – After watching Gilas Pilipinas sweep its second round assignment, former Meralco Japanese import Seiya Ando believes Gilas Pilipinas is capable of winning the FIBA Asia men's championships in Changsha, China.
The six-foot guard out of Meiji University cited Gilas guards Terrence Romeo and Jayson Castro are the biggest differences for the national side, which is out to end the Philippines' 43-year absence in the Olympics this year.
"Gilas can beat all team (in Fiba-Asia) because Castro and Romeo always attack the basket," Ando told Philstar.com on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old Japanese guard said he actually watched Castro and Romeo play big roles in Gilas' come-from-behind 73-66 victory over Japan, before following that up with a king-sized 87-73 upset over mighty Iran the next day.
"Gilas is very good, yes. I watched the (video) highlight and they are very good also," he added.
Asked how Gilas can fair against host China if ever their paths cross in the Finals, Ando pointed to naturalized player Andray Blatche as the one player who can easily make the Filipinos a title favorite.
"They have Blatche so they don't need to care about China," explained the sweet-shooting Ando, who a few years back played for Japan's junior national team.
Gilas tangles with Lebanon in the quarterfinals set on Thursday as the Filipinos resume their Asian men's basketball championship bid.
Ando, who averaged 9.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the Bolts last season, is currently in Los Angeles to train as he tries his luck in the NBA D-League.