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Fighting for pride

Gilas Pilipinas goes all out vs China in final World Cup game


With nothing else to lose, Gilas Pilipinas eyes victory in its final 2023 FIBA World Cup game.

The Filipinos tangle with Asian rival China in their last classification phase match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at 8 p.m. with nothing in mind but to end their campaign on a winning note and fight for pride.

Winless in four games so far, the Philippines will take on a tall Chinese squad as it looks to make it to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament next year for a chance to book a 2024 Paris Olympics ticket.

Gilas had the chance to clinch an outright slot, but their 0-4 slate in the ongoing global tournament squashed that as well.

Still, the hosts are eager to deny China — for flag and the country.

"We're playing for the flag and country and we're doing this as our way to serve the country," Gilas head coach Chot Reyes said.

"Basically, [I need] to remind them that it's more than just about a ballgame or just a win, but it's something larger, hopefully ending on a winning note, leaving a lasting impression."

Reyes is no stranger to this situation. Back in 2014, he and Gilas Pilipinas were facing a similar scenario where the nationals were winless in four games heading to their final clash against Senegal.

They needed an extra period to stun the Senegalese as the Philippines escaped with an 81-79 overtime win and did not go empty-handed in Spain.

Reyes is hoping they can do the same when they take on China, who is high in spirit after winning its last game against Angola and punch its first-ever win in the tournament.

"We faced the exact same situation the last time I coached a World Cup in 2014, when we faced the last game against Senegal with no chance to advance," Reyes recalled.

"We'll try to put everything together for one last push. There's really no bearing except for pride. Hopefully we can come in and play our best."

Tipped to pace the Philippines are Jordan Clarkson and young gun AJ Edu as the former leads the team in points and assists with 24.0 markers and 5.8 dimes through four games. Edu, on the other hand, has 8.3 average in rebounds followed by Dwight Ramos with 5.8 boards.

They will be pitted against a Chinese team led by Zhao Rui and naturalized Li Kaier as well as Zhao Jiwei.

However, Reyes said what they need to prepare the most is the players' mental state, especially coming off four tight losses to Dominican Republic, Angola, Italy, and South Sudan.

"Obviously we're very, very down. There's nothing else we can say, right? The morale is really low," he added.

"Our job now is to get everybody ready for the next game and that has to start with our mindset and our emotional heart set as well."

Prior to the match at the Big Dome, Angola will take on South Sudan. At the Mall of Asia Arena, New Zealand will go against Egypt at 4:45 p.m., followed by the face-off of Jordan and Mexico at 8:30 p.m.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News

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