Nationals begin to face tough foes in Jones Cup

The Smart-Gilas Pilipinas start a killer stretch of six straight games in as many days when they face off against South Korea in the 34th William Jones Cup today at the  Taipei Physical Education College gym in Taipei.

Today’s 3 p.m. match against Korea will be followed by games against Japan, Lebanon, Iran, Chinese Taipei and the United States.

Smart Gilas is likely to face tough challenge against South Korea, a perennial contender in the Asian stage finishing second to Iran in the Jones Cup last year.

Head coach, Chot Reyes, is bracing for tough competition in the wake of their two blowout wins to start this tournament. “Even as we won by a big margin Sunday, we don’t have illusions about the coming games. It’s a treacherous trek, starting with the Korea game,” he said in a press statement.

The Koreans look more formidable this year playing their champion club team Anyang KGC reinforced by talented imports Garrett Stutz and Juan Pattillo.

Stutz, at 6-foot-11, has the size, length and talent to match up with Marcus Douthit, and his 6-foot-6 back-up Pattillo could pose the Filipinos problems with his versatility.

The Filipinos still got down to a hard, one-hour practice yesterday then spent the rest of the day bonding as a team, visiting the famous Taipei 101 and having dinner outside of the posh Palais de Chine hotel, where all teams are billeted, for the first time in four days.

Team Philippines needs all the time it can put in , having been together just over two weeks as coach Reyes is giving each player the chance to perfect the squad’s “dribble-drive” offensive philosophy—aside from getting to know each other better. /with a report from the inquirer