By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/PNA
MANILA — A raucous crowd inside the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City went home saddened on Friday night after Kazakhstan stunned Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
“I’m disappointed that we did not deliver so that we could make that crowd happy,” rued Gilas coach Yeng Guiao during practice on Saturday night at the said venue, just hours after Game 1 of the UAAP finals between Ateneo and UP.
Guiao vowed on behalf of the Philippine national team to bounce back with a bang against Iran on Monday night.
“On Monday, that’s going to be our objective: to make those people who will support us go home happy than the way they went home the last time. Gusto natin, mapasaya yung mga supporters natin (we want our supporters to be happy), so we will certainly try harder and make adjustments from the mistakes that we made the last time,” he added.
As of posting, Gilas has yet to reveal its lineup against Iran, but Guiao already said last week that Chris Standhardinger and the returning Jayson Castro and Troy Rosario will be shoo-ins for the 12-man roster.
Gilas is expected to bring in a big man-laden lineup with Junemar Fajardo, Greg Slaughter, Beau Belga, Poy Erram, and Japeth Aguilar joining Standhardinger.
However, Slaughter, who was a non-factor on Friday night against Kazakhstan, was not around during practice, casting doubts on whether he will crack the final lineup or not.
Guiao did not comment on Slaughter’s absence in training.
