Two main issues are at stake when Gilas Pilipinas collides with powerhouse Italy on Tuesday at 8 p.m. in Group A motion of the 2023 FIBA World Cup on the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Filipinos, that includes a winless 0-2 slate, will tackle Italy (1-1) in a bid to remain alive within the international cagefest as a victory with a margin of 13 factors or extra will imply the Philippines will advance to the second spherical.
A loss, nonetheless, will finish the nation’s marketing campaign and can be relegated to the classification spherical.
READ MORE | How Gilas Pilipinas can advance to the 2nd spherical of the 2023 FIBA World Cup
Gilas can be placing its Olympics hopes at stake as rising victorious in opposition to the Azzurri also can assist their aim of ending as the highest Asian staff for a 2023 Paris Games berth, if Japan would additionally lose to Australia at the moment at 7:10 p.m.
Currently, the Akatsuki is the lone Asian squad that has nailed a single victory, placing themselves atop the race.
However, all the things will not be simple as Italy was the identical staff that defeated the Philippines by 46 factors throughout their 2019 World Cup assembly.
READ MORE | FIBA World Cup Preview: A Serbian correspondent breaks down Gilas Pilipinas vs Italy
While the duties at hand are an uphill climb, Gilas head coach Chot Reyes pressured they should concentrate on what they’ll control–regroup, put together, and simply play their finest in opposition to world no. 10 Italy.
“We focus on what’s within our hands. There’s a game to be played on Tuesday and we’re to come out and prepare as best as we can to play a top 10 team, Italy,” Reyes stated.
“It’s all we can do right now. Whatever is happening to other teams is not within our control.”
READ MORE | Chot Reyes says Gilas’ Olympics hopes ‘nonetheless alive’ regardless of 0-2 FIBA World Cup slate
Italian ahead Luigi Datome can be wanting ahead to dealing with the Philippines which is bannered by NBA star Jordan Clarkson, who will face his Utah Jazz teammate Simone Fontecchio.
“Of course, the Philippines, like the Dominican Republic, has a single great player and all around them– there’s a good team,” Datome stated.
“For sure, it’s very important to limit this player. But you cannot stop them, they’re so good, you have to limit them with teamwork and pay attention to the others because they’re all good players.”
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
