Gilas guns for 2nd win vs Taiwan

TIM Cone has warned Gilas Pilipinas against playing complacent basketball when the national squad hosts the visiting Taiwan side in the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers on Sunday, February 25, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

gilas guns for 2nd win vs taiwan

Gilas guns for 2nd win vs Taiwan

Both squads are coming off contrasting performances to kick off the regional qualifiers.

The Philippines bucked a slow start by riding on a scintillating second-half offensive to whip Hong Kong, 94-64, last Thursday.

On the other hand, the Taiwanese fought valiantly before eventually surrendering an 89-69 decision against the visiting New Zealand Tall Blacks in Taipei.

Though the Filipinos seemed to be the favored team heading to their 7:30 p.m. match, Cone wanted his wards to approach the game with razor-sharp focus and try to slow down the running-and-gunning Taiwanese.

“They (Taiwanese) play with a lot of speed and pace, so we’ll have to figure out ways to slow them so we can use our height advantage,” Cone said.

Veteran gunner Cheng Liu, who has been with Taiwan’s senior squad since 2014, will be leading the visitors against the Philippines.

Liu has the experience, the confidence and the leadership, which Taiwan hopes to ride on as the foreign squad clashes with Cone’s tall unit that will again have youthful bigs Kai Sotto, Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo, along with veteran national campaigner Japeth Aguilar leading the way.

Sotto, the 7-foot-3 young giant, will try to replicate his 13-point, 15-rebound effort against Hong Kong against Taiwan, while naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson are expected to create damage with their offense and playmaking, resapectively.

Cone said while people may think Gilas is the heavy favorite, the American coach strongly believes the Philippines will be facing a “strong foe.”

“I’ve been hearing around we’re such heavy favorites against Taiwan but watching their video, wow! This team is really strong. They got good size, they shoot really well,” observed the 66-year-old Cone.

The biggest factor though will be Taiwan’s chemistry.

“They’ve been together for a long time. They played in the Jones Cup against Rain or Shine. They played in the Asian Games, and they finished fourth, losing to China in the knockout game,” he added.

Cone invites Filipino fans to pack the PhilSports Arena and create a strong atmosphere that could energize Gilas against Taiwan.

News Related

OTHER NEWS

Aliw Awards nominations out

ALIW Awards Foundation Inc. President Alice H. Reyes has released the names of finalists for the 2023 Aliw Awards to be presented on Dec. 11, 2023, at the Manila Hotel ... Read more »

WhatsApp Web gains the feature of single-view photos and videos

WhatsApp Web gains the feature of single-view photos and videos (Photo: Unsplash) The WhatsApp Web, the desktop version of the popular messaging app from Meta, has received an update allowing ... Read more »

Young athletes’ time to shine in Siklab Awards

Young athletes’ time to shine in Siklab Awards MANILA, Philippines — The future heroes of Philippine sports will be honored during the third Siklab Youth Sports Awards on Dec. 4 ... Read more »

Local exec says 5-10 barangays still isolated in Northern Samar

Graphics by Jannielyn Ann Bigtas A local government official said Monday that five to 10 barangays in Northern Samar are still isolated following the massive flooding in the area last ... Read more »

App made by ex-jeepney driver will let you pay PUV fare, book tricycles

DyipPay app lets you pay jeepney fare, book tricycles “Barya lang po sa umaga.” Everyone who rides jeepneys knows this rule: it may not be an actual law, but it’s ... Read more »

Updated In-Season Tournament Bracket ahead of pool play finale

Updated In-Season Tournament Bracket ahead of pool play finale Tuesday will mark the last day of pool play for the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament. From there, six first-place teams and ... Read more »

PCG forms teams for maritime emergency response

PCG forms teams for maritime emergency response MANILA, Philippines — Recent incidents of fishermen lost in the waters off Southern Tagalog have prompted the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to form ... Read more »
Top List in the World