Gilas braces for must-win vs P Rico, Senegal

SEVILLE, Spain – With three close losses, Gilas Pilipinas’ mindset now is to go hard for each play and each possession in its last two assignments in Group B competition in the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes remains optimistic of breaking into the 16-team knockout stage of the quadrennial meet after their fighting performances versus Croatia, Greece and Argentina.

“Everybody’s beating everybody in the group,” said Reyes, looking at the Group B chart where Greece is on top at 3-0, followed by Argentina, Senegal and Croatia at 2-1 then the Philippines and Puerto Rico at 0-3.

As only the top four will advance to the playoff matches, Gilas Pilipinas and the Renaldo Balkman-led Puerto Rican side clash in a do-or-die match at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday (7:30 p.m. in Manila).

“(We’ll go) all out,” said the Gilas bench chieftain.

“For us, there’s no such thing as must-win. If we think of those must-wins, it will just detract us. We’ll just go all out every game, every possession,” he added.

Reyes believes the battle for the second round in Group B is still wide open.

“From the start, we know it’s very hard to get to the second round, but it’s still wide open. Nobody is above 2-0. We win our next two games, we get two (games) as well,” said Reyes moments before Greece topped Puerto Rico to go up 3-0.

“But to get that (two wins), we need to win our next game. We need to get the one first. Hopefully, we’ll find it in our next game,” Reyes also said.

If Andray Blatche is hurt, Puerto Rico also has its health woes with injuries to starters Carlos Arroyo and Angel Vassallo.

Gilas’ toughest challenge against Puerto Rico should be former Petron Blaze do-it-all import Balkman.

“I’m looking forward to play the Philippines,” said Balkman.

Gilas’ last assignment is Senegal, the FIBA Afro championship third placer which has been a revelation here with victories over Puerto Rico and Croatia.

“Before this game (Philippines-Argentina), I said Senegal is going to win (versus Croatia). We had film viewing, and I said Senegal would win tonight,” said Reyes.

But the Filipinos, surely, won’t be fazed following close fights with Croatia, Greece and Argentina.