Angola coach expects close game vs Gilas Pilipinas

FOSHAN, China - Angola head coach William Voigt expected a dogfight against Gilas Pilipinas in their last game of the FIBA World Cup group phase on Wednesday.

The two teams both went 0-2 against Serbia and Italy, leaving them out of contention for the second round.

Voigt said Angola needed to play solid one-on-one defense and limit transition opportunities for Gilas.

“I think the two teams match pretty well. Obviously Blatche is always the X-factor for the Philippines,” he added. “But I think it will be a close game.”

Voigt is wary of Gilas getting an extra boost from their sixth man, as many Filipino fans flew to China to cheer for the national team.

“I would expect a good crowd to support the Philippines and that’s a little added energy for them,” he said. “We gotta be able to match their intensity level.”

Voigt previously visited the Philippines upon the invitation of former Phoenix head coach Ariel Vanguardia.

“I went over there to spend two weeks with their team,” he said. “Loved the country, loved the passion for the game there. I really had an amazing time.” — DVM, GMA News