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Gilas players still hopeful, aware of tall task ahead with upcoming Italy clash
A tough task awaits Gilas Pilipinas when they face Italy on Tuesday night in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
At stake in the said crucial match are Gilas' slot for the second round of the tournament and a possible slot in the 2024 Paris Olympics, if they end up being the best Asian team in the tourney.
Despite the tall order, some Gilas players said they are hopeful that things will turn out well for the national team.
READ MORE | FIBA World Cup Preview: A Serbian correspondent breaks down Gilas Pilipinas vs Italy
"In the beginning of the game, they were the favorites of the group, but they kind of struggled here in this tournament. Kind of both teams (Italy and Philippines) struggling," Dwight Ramos said.
“Hopefully our play is better than theirs this next game.”
— Nico Waje (@nicowaje) August 28, 2023
Dwight Ramos believes Italy is still the favorite in their group despite struggling early in the World Cup. But he hopes to finally get their first win tomorrow at the expense of the world’s no. 10 @gmanews @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/j5SzkwVXq3
"We're just both trying to find a better game so hopefully, our play is better than theirs this next game," he added.
Gilas big man Kai Sotto, meanwhile, is aware of Italy's strength as a team.
"They're a very good all-around team, 'yung mga shooting guard, small forward nila is pretty tall so I think 'yun ang magiging focus namin defensively, how to stop or limit their wings but they're a pretty good all-around team so it's gonna take a whole team effort to stop them," he said.
Gilas Pilipinas’ center Kai Sotto is fully aware that beating Italy is a tall order. According to him, limiting their wingman will be the Gilas’ focus defensively. | @gmanews @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/6lGY9EfnmA
— Nico Waje (@nicowaje) August 28, 2023
(They're a very good all-around team, their shooting guard, small forward are pretty tall so I think that will be our main focus defensively, on how to stop or limit their wings but they're a pretty good all-around team so it's gonna take a whole team effort to stop them.)
June Mar Fajardo, meanwhile, will take some pressure of their shoulders.
"Sabi nga ni coach, i-enjoy namin ang game kasi nga nu'ng previous game namin, naaano raw namin 'yung pressure, 'di namin masyado nae-enjoy ang game so bukas, i-enjoy ang game at the same time, have fun. Sana makuha natin ang panalo," the six-time PBA MVP said.
“Enjoy the game and have fun.”
— Nico Waje (@nicowaje) August 28, 2023
Gilas Pilipinas center June Mar Fajardo said Coach Chot Reyes advised them to just enjoy their upcoming game against world’s no. 10 Italy and don’t mind the pressure. | @gmanews @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/IbZ0DpdA7d
(Coach said we should enjoy the game because we are pressured, we do not enjoy the game, so tomorrow, we enjoy the game and have fun. Hopefully we win.)
Gilas will take on the Italians tonight at 8 pm. The nationals need the Dominican Republic to win against Angola and for them to win against Italy by at least 12 points to advance to the second round of the tournament.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
