FIBA Asia Cup Qualifying...TOUGH TEST FOR GILAS’ BEST VS TAIWANESE

Buoyed up by their 94-64 demolition of Hong Kong three days ago watched by elated thousands of Filipino workers worked at the former Crown Colony now under the control of China, Gilas Pilipinas tries to add Chinese Taipei its second Chinese victim Sunday, February 25 in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifying at the Philsports Arena where the players refined and polished their individual skill to perfection for three solid hours under the watchful eyes of multi-titled American coach before playing Hong Kong.

Their morale is high and fighting spirit is enflame, the Filipinos are determined to beat the Taiwanese in their 7:30 pm encounter where ex-PBA players Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann and Commissioner Matthew Gaston and Basketball Association of the Philippine president Al Panlillio are expected to watch to boost their morale and keep the flame of their fighting spirit ablaze against Chinese Taipei formerly known Republic of China .

Unlike what they did to Hong Kong, the Filipinos are expected to encounter rough sailing against the Taiwanese and the only way to ensure victory is play as a team, consolidate their effort, pull their resources together and utilize available resources from their vast arsenal.

Philippine beat Chinese Taipei three times when the tournament was known before Asian Basketball Confederation before it was renamed FIBA Asia Cup where BAP president Gonzalo “Lito” Puyat became FIBA president for two terms.

Towering Kai Sotto played big role to Gilas Pilipinas in manhandling of Hong Kong. The 7-foot-3 man-mountain who played in Japan B-League as import, is expected to play pivotal role to the host team because of his size, versatility ad all-around basketball artistry.

Sotto posted a double-double ,15 points and 15 rebounds apart from one steal and one block shot.

He will join force with naturalized Filipino American Justin Brownlee, CJ Perez, Jamie Malonzo, Scottie Thompson, Dwight Ramos, and Calvin Oftana against Chinese Taipei.

Sotto replaced FIBA World Cup veteran June Mar Fajardo. The 6-foot-10 Cebuano behemoth is recuperating from his shoulder injury he suffered during the San Miguel Beer-Magnolia in the Commissioner’s Cup won by the Beermen 4-2 in the best of-seven title series.

The seven times MVP Fajardo joined the team to bolster the morale and fighting spirit of the players.

Coach Tim Cone candidly admitted Chinese Taipei is tough costumer and the only way to beat them is to play A-1 Game like they did against Hong Kong.

“Chinese Taipei is a hard nut to crack. We have to play as a team, sharpen our offense and solidify our defense to win,” said the 66 years old American bench tactician from Oregon state permanently residing in the Philippines with his Filipina wife and three children.

Tim had a long resume of achievement here and abroad. He is the winningest coach in the PBA with 25 titles, two grandslam in 1996 and 2014. He steered the Philippines to the 1998 William Jones and recently guided the team to the gold in the Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games.

After playing Chinese Taipei, Gilas next opponent is New Zealand on November 21 at Philsports.

Twenty-four teams led by powerhouse China divided into six groups are competing in the FIBA Asia qualifying.

Tim Cone