Ang nakakadismayang kabiguan noong Linggo na hindi inspiring tune-up para sa Lebanese, na naririto sa bansa bilang paghahanda sa World Basketball Championship na gananapin sa Saitama, Japan.
Masakit ang kabiguang ito para sa Lebanese lalo’t halos kabubuo lang ng koponan na tumalo sa kanila.
"There is nothing that makes a coach prouder than to learn that his team flourish in his absence. It means the players and coaches understand what true teamwork is about. Congrats!" ani head coach Chot Reyes sa kanyang text message kay assistant coach Djalma Arnedo.
Si Reyes ay kasalukuyang nasa Taipei kung saan nakikipaglaban ang San Miguel Beermen na kanyang iginigiya sa Asian Invitational Club Championship.
At habang nagmamalaki si Reyes sa naging performance ng Team Philippines, sinabi ni coach Norman Black, na siyang pansamantalang humalili kay Reyes, na nangangapa pa ang Lebanese ng gabing iyon.
"Our players did what they had to do. They executed well and held their own off the boards against the tall Lebanese," obserba ni Black.
Mabilis ding inamin ni Black na malamang pagod pa ang mga ito mula sa kanilang ginigiyerang bansa. Noong nakaraang linggo, tinalo ng Lebanon ang Canada, na wala si Steve Nash, isang araw matapos yumuko sa Slovenia.
"But with another two-day rest, I’m sure the Lebanese will recover their energy and give us a good challenge on Wednesday," ani pa ni Black.