MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas shoots for a sweep of its fifth window road assignments in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers against Saudi Arabia Sunday night (early Monday in Manila) at the Prince Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
The Filipinos showcased their power in a 74-66 drubbing of 2022 FIBA Asia Cup fourth-placer Jordan on hostile territory last Thursday and are poised to do the same against the Saudis.
Gilas guard Scottie Thompson, who dazzled with an eight-point, 13-rebound, eight assist outing versus Jordan in Amman, said the visiting team should be fine in the 7 p.m. outing as long as it stays the course.
“Stick lang kami sa system ni coach (Chot Reyes), trust the process, lahat ng pinapagawa nila,” said the reigning PBA MVP.
“Malaking bagay sa amin itong panalong ito (Jordan) coming to Saudi. At least yung confidence namin mataas. Siyempre homecourt nila (Saudi) kaya dapat mas mahigitan pa namin energy namin,” Thompson added.
The Pinoy dribblers sit at third in Group E with 11 points on a 4-3 record behind fellow qualified sides Lebanon (13 on 6-1) and New Zealand (13 on 6-1).
Fourth-running Jordan, with 10 points on a 3-4 card, holds a slim edge against Saudi (nine points on 2-5) in their race for a WC seat.
The Saudis stayed in the hunt with an 85-54 rout of winless India in their home turf also last Thursday with Khalid Abdel Gabar and 19-year-old debutant Haim Aljohar firing 16 apiece.
Gilas is seeking a repeat against Saudi, which it demolished, 84-46, back in the fourth window last August in Jordan Clarkson’s Manila homecoming.
Without Clarkson this time, the Nationals are banking on Thompson, Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, Japeth Aguilar, Ray Parks, CJ Perez and naturalized player Ange Kouame to lead the charge.