Loss against Lebanon a learning experience for young Gilas team, says Chot

For Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes, their opening game in the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup against Lebanon may have resulted in a loss, but it served as a great learning experience.

Reyes on Wednesday acknowledged that the result was unfortunate but he saw some positives in the 95-80 loss in Indonesia.

"I thought we made a great run. We never quit even when we were down 20 points in the fourth [quarter], we made a great run to get within single digit midway in the fourth quarter," Reyes said in a post-game conference.

The Gilas Pilipinas coach, however, said the three-point barrage by Lebanon in the third quarter was just too much for the team to overcome, and if the Philippines lessened its turnovers, it might have helped the team.

Despite this, Reyes said the experience of going against a team like Lebanon will benefit the young Gilas squad.

"For us, it's a great learning experience. We're a very young team here and for them to be able to experience this kind of very high level kind of competition, I think that's the most important."

Gilas veteran Kiefer Ravena also admitted that it was a tough game but he looks forward to their next game against India on Friday.

"We have to prepare mentally, [and] physically for another grind out game," he added.

The national team needs to finish at least third in its group to advance to the next round of the competition, with the top team of each group earning an outright quarterfinals slot, and the next two will play in a playoff for a quarterfinals ticket. Gilas is pooled with Lebanon, India, and New Zealand in the tournament.

—JMB, GMA News