Team Philippines is off to a good start after it crushed the Kazakhstan national team 96-59 in the 2018 Asian Games basketball tournament despite having only 9 days training before joining the start.
Team Philippines had initially withdrawn from the competition but rescinded the withdrawal with only several days before the start of the competition.
Rousing start
The Filipinos opened the game with a 12-2 lead and went on to dominate the ball game. They shot 59 percent from the field while holding the Kazakhs to a meager 41 percent.
National team newcomer Stanley Pringle led the Filipinos with 18 points. PBA rookie Christian Standhardinger added 15 points off the bench while 36-year old veteran James Yap, who last played for the national team in 2009, chipped in 12 points.
Kazakhstan is the lowest-ranked Asian team in the FIBA World Rakings at the 68th spot.
Head coach Yeng Guiao praised his coach staff in an interview with the media, commending them for putting together “an excellent job” by producing an effective scouting report and preparing the team’s defensive schemes.
Philippine Olympic Committee Pato Gregorio meanwhile also praised the team for its efforts and urged them to ready for further battle.
The Filipinos’ dominant performance has sparked hope and optimism in the country’s basketball fans and analysts.
Some are also praising veterans such as Asi Taulava and James Yap for representing their country even until this day.
The Philippines will be facing usual rival China on August 21.
China in the past has barred the Philippines from tasting championship gold.
In 2015, China edged out the Philippines in the finals of the FIBA Asia Cup 78-67. Many criticized the officiating in the game and accused the referees and officials of favoring China in their calls.
Once the powerhouse in the Asiad basketball, the Philippines hopes to erase memories of its disappointing seventh-place finish in the last Asian Games.
The Philippines won the gold medal in basketball in four straight tournaments from 1951 to 1962 before slumping in the next few decades.
It won its last men’s basketball medal in 1998 when it beat Kazakhstan 73-68 in the battle for third place.