SMART Gilas Pilipinas wants to retain its bragging rights, while revenge is on the mind of Iran as the two Asian powerhouses face off again in the second of two tune-up games at 7 p.m. today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
A sizeable crowd is expected to come as the anticipation builds up for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament Manila leg, where the two powerhouse teams will again show their wares. The tournament will be held on July 5 to 10.
For Smart Gilas coach Tab Baldwin, this will serve as a gauge to see where exactly are the Nationals now in terms of their cohesion and level of play.
“We will have the chance to see, more or less, where the team is at right now,” said Baldwin. “By competing against a strong team like Iran, we can see where we’re already good at and what areas we need to improve on. This will be very helpful for us.”
Iran coach Dirk Bauermann echoed Baldwin’s sentiments regarding these set-up of tune-up games that their respective teams are engaging.
“This will be extremely beneficial,” said Bauermann. “It’s a core part of our preparation.”
Bauermann even commended Smart Gilas and Baldwin himself for a job well done these past couple of years in terms of Asian play.
“Playing here in the Philippines against such a good and well-coached team will be huge for our young players. We want them to get as much experience from this,” added Bauermann. “We have the highest respect for Gilas and Coach Tab.”
Both countries are in the middle of their preparations for the respective OQ Tournaments wherein the Philippines will play host here while Iran will play in the Italy leg.
As of this report the two National teams are already facing each other in a closed door scrimmage at the Meralco Gym where in both try to iron out their respective systems and schemes.
However, the bigger tune-up game is the one tonight as it will be played in front of the paying public and it will be the first time that this version of Smart Gilas be seen in an exhibition game.
The Nationals might have a slight edge as 7’2” Iranian star center Hamed Haddadi isn’t available as he failed to make his team’s trip due to personal reasons.
Still, Gilas Pilipinas expects a tough challenge from Iran, who is a perennial powerhouse in Asian basketball.
Last October in the FIBA Asia Championship, Gilas shocked Iran with a stunning victory in the elimination round and that helped the team finish second.
Obviously, Iran is looking for some sort of payback. Iran ended up with the bronze in the said tournament.
Game Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
7 p.m. – Philippines vs. Iran