Simply put, Gilas Pilipinas will find it extremely hard to win a single game in FIBA World Cup in Spain.
The pre-FIBA tournament tune-up games, where Gilas Pilipnas lost all of its games is a glimpse of things to come. There is hardly anything that Gilas can rely upon to beat its taller opponents. The team's three point shooting is so erratic and does not even come close to Ukraine's reliable outside shooting. As seen from the tune-up games, the taller opponents are faster than most of Gilas' players. The team exhibits the PBA brand of play which does not work in a highly competitive international tournament like the World Cup. Touch passing is a staple while Gilas point guards dribble so much.
But what really will spell the doom of Gilas Pilipinas is Andray Blatche's uninspiring play. What the team needs is a leader who can motivate his teammates to outperform themselves. Blatche, it seems, is happy to just play and does not appear to be on a personal crusade to at least carry his team to the second round. He plays like a shooting forward instead of a legitimate center which is what the team badly needs. I was just so surprised to see Blatche take so many three point shots against Angola. It is as if he does not know what is expected of him.
With opponents like Puerto Rico, Greece, Argentina, Croatia and Senegal, Gilas Pilipinas can only hope that its three point shooting clicks, Blatche plays like a legitimate and dominating center and its defense becomes impenetrable. Only then can the Philippines hope for a decent showing.
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