Gilas fans hopeful after Philippines’ win over Senegal in China pocket tournament

Revenge completed!

Gilas Pilipinas punched in a gutsy win over Senegal in the Heywuan WUS International Basketball Tournament on Sunday.

To avenge its only loss in the China pocket tilt, the Philippine squad blasted the Senegalese ballers in the final period, outscoring them by 18 points, 28 to 10. For a Gilas supporter, it must’ve been delightful to watch Bobby Ray Parks Jr., AJ Edu and the rest of the squad create that fourth quarter avalanche. However, there are those who remain critical despite Gilas’ impressive showing.

On X (formerly known as Twitter), @memram22 wore his analyst hat and broke down the Philippine team’s performance.

“Good news, kaunting push na lang ‘yung depensa natin, Maganda na reaction at switching. Bad news, ang sama ng opensa, hindi mabigyan ang players ng malinis na tira,” he posted.

Good news konti polish nlng un depensa ntin, maganda na reaction and switching
Bad news ang sama ng opensa d mabigyan ang mga players ng malinis na tira sana maayos nila bago mag umpisa world cup
id like to see a combo of kai and aj alternate with abai and japeth solid un

— Memey Ramos (@memram22) August 6, 2023

Netizen Enzo Macaspac, meanwhile, found it refreshing to see Gilas win without a naturalized player.

“Back then Gilas can’t beat teams outside of Asia without an import. Gilas won against Senegal without an import. Now, that’s something,” he tweeted.

Come to think of it, Back then Gilas can't beat teams outside Asia without an import. now Gilas won against Senegal without an import. Now that's something

— Enzo Macaspac (@Enzomaxpac) August 6, 2023

@pilipinasmuse was specifically encouraged by the play of the Gilas big men. He even used the win as a barometer for Gilas’ group phase matchup against Angola in the FIBA World Cup.

“Gilas can compete as long as they have two bigs on the floor. Senegal [and] Angola are evenly matched based on their qualifiers,” he claimed.

Gilas can compete as long as they have two BIGS on the floor. They always fall behind everytime they put malonzo on the 4. 🤦🏻??? Senegal beat angola are evenly match based on their qualifiers.

— gilasmuse (@pilipinasmuse) August 6, 2023

Gilas fan Arnold Joaquin saw a lock in Edu. Where’s the lie? The big man was clutch against Senegal, scoring 13 points, including a couple of three-balls, while snatching a bunch of timely offensive boards.

“AJ Edu deserves a spot in the Final 12.”

Aj Edu deserves a spot in the final 12

— Arnold Joaquin (@joaqs_ako) August 6, 2023

Another Gilas follower in @PatrickLance27 chimed in. Admittedly, he was glad that Gilas’ learning experience from the previous game paid off.

“We learned from our last game’s ‘experience’ this time around. Outstanding effort on both offense and defense." 

2023 Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament

Final:
🇵🇭 Gilas Pilipinas - 75
🇸🇳 Senegal - 63

We learned from our last game's “experience” this time around. 🤭 Outstanding effort on both offense and defense, especially in the final stretch.

— Pat (@PatrickLance27) August 6, 2023

Let’s see if Chot Reyes and his wards would be able to keep the positive energy flowing when Gilas takes on Iran tonight, Monday, at 8 p.m.

Watch the tournament finale on One Sports.

(GM)