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THREES allowed Gilas Pilipinas to open the game wide, but if it weren’t for their defense, their Monday game against Thailand could have been a lot closer.
Coach Jong Uichico emphasized that it was the Filipinos’ defense that proved crucial in their 93-69 victory over the Thais on Monday in the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers in Manama.
“The lead we had in the first game was very big, so we were concerned that they might take the game for granted,” he said, recalling Friday’s dominant 93-61 victory.
“We really insist on running offense and playing better defense.”
Gilas really made sure to double down on the defensive end, starting the game with an 11-0 round as his stifling defense made life difficult for Thailand.
Unfortunately, this excess of enthusiasm also led to fouls, giving away free kicks to rivals who closed things off early on.
But unlike the first game where both teams finished with 43 rebounds apiece, Gilas made sure to dominate the boards in this second outing, out-rebounding Thailand, 52-41.
“The coaches told us to set up our defense and make our plays to win the second game,” agreed Justine Baltazar, who focused more on breaking the glass and grabbed 11 rebounds for her two points.
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Uichico noted that Thailand was better prepared.
“Thailand played a better game today than in the first game,” he said, with Chanatip Jakrawan being the only beacon of hope for the Thais.
Still, the opposition had no response to the Philippines’ outside game, shooting 16 of 33 from the center to put the game into the second half.
Gilas rose to 3-0 in Group A of the playoffs with the February 2021 window still to be played.
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