Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes heaped praises on Mason Amos and Jamie Malonzo, who fueled their second unit in nationwide group’s 107-96 victory over Lebanon for the sixth window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Friday.
Amos did not disappoint in his Gilas males’s debut, ending with 13 factors on an ideal 100-percent capturing proportion from the sector whereas Malonzo had 15 markers, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists because the Filipinos received again on the Cedars.
Amos and Malonzo performed essential roles as Gilas confronted a frontcourt scarcity with large males Kai Sotto, Japeth Aguilar, and Carl Tamayo out for this window. And Reyes was glad to see the duo reside as much as the problem of backing up beginning heart June Mar Fajardo and naturalized participant Justin Brownlee.
“We really thought that was going to be the key off the bench, those two guys. They were basically our bigs after June Mar and Justin,” Reyes mentioned.
“Basically it was only Mason and Jamie that we have because as you know, we were decimated with the lack of our other big players. So the fact that they both played well, I think, was a big factor for us. The bench really gave us a spark.”
Amos, for his half, mentioned he simply stepped up, particularly in entrance of a jam-packed Philippine Arena.
“It was exciting. There’s a lot of people here, a great community, and I love the Philippines. It’s good representing the country and I’m thankful,” the 18-year-old 6-foot-7 bruiser mentioned.
“Just energy coming in off the bench, really something new like I just stepped up and shot the ball. It feels great. It feels different from the youth club, so it’s something great.”
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
