THE Philippines opens defense of the Asian Games gold medal against Bahrain but has a tough customer in waiting, China, in Group C of men’s 5×5 basketball action in Aichi.
The match is set for September 11-eight days before the Games’ opening ceremony-and on the next day, the Filipinos battle Kazakhstan at the Aichi International Arena.
After a day’s rest, the Philippines will contend with China, an arch enemy that has a big score to settle-Gilas Pilipinas eliminated the Chinese right in front of former National Basketball Association star Yao Ming in Hangzhou three years ago.
‘China will be tough as usual,’ national team head coach Tim Cone told BusinessMirror on Sunday. ‘And the key will be getting to the second round.’
Gilas broke the hearts of the Chinese in that 77-76 thriller of a semifinals, a victory that gave the team momentum in beating Jordan, 70-60, that ended the country’s Asian Games gold medal drought since 1962 in Jakarta.
Cone called Group C as ‘tough’ and is cautious about Bahrain and Kazakhstan.
‘We do not know much about Kazakhstan, nut Bahrain has improved through the years,’ he said. ‘It will be a tough group.’
Group A is composed of host Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia while Group B has Iran, Jordan, Chinese-Taipei and Qatar.
The top two teams in each group and the two best third-placed squads in pool play will advance to the knockout quarterfinals.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas already has a 12-man team-Juan Gomez de Liaño, RJ Abarrientos, Justin Brownlee, Calvin Oftana, Carl Tamayo, Troy Rosario, Ange Kouame, Scottie Thompson, Quentin Milloria-Brown, June Mar Fajardo, Kevin Quiambao and Mike Philips-which the Philippine Olympic Committee already submitted to the Asian Games organizers.