BATANG Gilas will be ready for whatever challenge that Thailand will have to offer when they meet at 12 noon today in the 2017 Southeast Asian Basketball Association Under-16 Tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.
When Team Pilipinas pulled off a 96-73 rout of Indonesia, it was the speed of their rivals which they needed to overcome.
This time around, it is the height and talent of the Thai cagers which Batang Gilas will have to deal with.
“Mas malaki sila kesa Indonesia. Ang Indonesia mabilis, sila naman, hindi gaano,” said Oliver.
The Philippines needs to beat Indonesia in order to catch up with Malaysia, and move in contention for one of three qualification slots to 2017 FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship
They have two straight wins since their game with Indonesia.
In that game, promising McLaude Guadana took charge briefly in the third period and finished with a triple double, 19 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds.
Oliver will not only be banking on RC Calimag, Rence Padrigao and big man Kai Sotto to provide the needed points and rebounds, he will count on the likes of Guadana, Terence Fortea and John Bismarck Lina in their coming game.
In yesterday’s game, Malaysia moved into the solo lead with their third straight victory.
They took win no. 3 at the expense of Singapore, 77-56.
John Tang Jun Kai showed the way for Malaysia with 19 points, and this earned them a first qualifying seat.
Thailand picked up its first win in two games after stopping Indonesia, 79-69, with Amagom Homthuanlom finishing with 21 points.
Meanwhile, in the men’s action, Singapore claimed its first win in four outings after smothering winless Myanmar, 85-32.
Raj Lavin provided 19 points for the Singaporeans while Chiao Zao Liang Lyon added 12.