Winning at the least two video games within the 2023 FIBA World Cup would be the modest objective of Gilas Pilipinas because it eyes to surpass its earlier outings within the quadrennial occasion and emerge as one of the best ranked Asian group within the tourney.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio bared the squad’s goal on Tuesday as they appear to eclipse the one-win marketing campaign in the course of the 2014 World Cup and a winless run within the 2019 version.
The Philippines received in opposition to Senegal in Spain to wrap up the 2014 contest on the twenty first slot earlier than going clean in China to complete final amongst 32 nationwide groups.
Panlilio added that copping two wins may additionally punch Gilas’ ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“First of all, we haven’t hosted the World Cup ever since 1978. It’s even much longer since we’ve been in the Olympics. It’s been a while and I think the aspirations for us is we wanna be the best Asian team,” Panlilio mentioned in the course of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday.
“I hope we can win at least two games so we can have our best World Cup.”
Doing that, nonetheless, is simpler mentioned than executed as Gilas will likely be pitted in opposition to a number of powerhouse groups early within the event. The Filipinos are bunched with world no. 10 Italy in addition to no. 23 Dominican Republic and no. 41 Angola within the preliminary part.
Gilas might want to end second within the group stage to maneuver ahead to the second spherical.
Although it is a tall process to do, Panlilio is upbeat that the Gilas can rise to the event, particularly for the reason that video games will likely be performed in entrance of the house crowd.
“We won one game in 2014 against Senegal but unfortunately, we didn’t win anything in Beijing. So if we can do that, we’ll go to the next round and potentially, book a spot for the Olympics,” he added.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
