Kazakhstan coach: Gilas PH strong title contender for FIBA Asia Championship

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Kazakhstan coach: Gilas PH strong title contender for FIBA Asia Championship

Kazakhstan coach Matteo Boniciolli became the first coach of a team competing in the FIBA Asia Championship 2013 to get a close look at the Philippine national men’s basketball team in a tuneup match on Friday night. (watch game replay here)

Jason Castro Gilas Pilipinas vs Kazakhstan

The Italian coach was impressed by Gilas Pilipinas, even going so far as to call the team a contender for the Asian title.

“They’re one of the favorites in the tournament,” Boniciolli told InterAKTV. “It’s a very good team, great coaching staff. They’re very aggressive, has great experience and fantastic shooters.

“We know the Philippines has very good athletes. They’re used to playing strong game,” said Boniciolli.

The admiration seemed mutual, as Gilas coach Chot Reyes praised the Kazakhstan squad after the game.

“In my books, one of the strongest ang Kazakhstan,” said Reyes. He noted that his choice not to join Group D was based on his knowledge about how good Kazakhstan was.

Boniciolli is happy by the way his team is progressing less than a week away from the big tournament.

“I’m proud on the performance of my team. We came from 45 days of very hard work with three tuneup games. This is our fourth game. We played two scrimmages when we were in Italy,” he said.

“We played against Italy’s national team of Under-20 which won the European championship and after that we played against Bulgaria. I think we need to improve on two or three offensive details but I think we will be one of the most interesting teams in the competition.”

Boniciolli admitted his team is a work in progress, but hopes they can make that up during the tournament.

“Honestly speaking if we can improve in short time two or three details, most especially in our defensive game, we can compete in one of three spots for world championship,” added Boniciolli.

“Were here to compete, respect our opponents, but we’re here to win.”