CHANGSHA – Nakahinga ng maluwag si Lebanon coach Veselin Matic nang maitakda ang kanilang pagsagupa sa Gilas Pilipinas sa quarterfinals ng 2015 FIBA Asia Championship imbes na Iran.
“No Iran, now Philippines. We can play Philippines easy, easy,” wika ni Matic. “We are the underdogs 100 percent but that’s the best position when you’re out. Everybody likes it. No pressure. You just have to play,” dagdag pa ng European mentor.
Si Matic ay isang two-time FIBA Asia champion coach ng Iran at mayroon siyang magandang winning record kontra sa Gilas Pilipinas mula sa panahon ni coach Rajko Toroman.
Naniniwala siyang mas magaan na kalaban ang Gilas kumpara sa Iran sa kabila ng paglalaro ni Andray Blatche sa Team Philippines.
“We don’t care too much. He’s (Blatche) a very good player. I’m very surprised he’s not in the NBA. His qua-lity is of a tough, tough NBA player. But he’s now a little bit out of shape. I have scouted him from the FIBA World Championship,” ani Matic.
Kumpiyansa ang Lebanese na kaya nilang talunin ang Nationals base sa kanilang playoff seedings.
“This is a good matchup,” sabi ni Matic. (NB)