The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Manny V. Pangilinan wanted the Philippine Team to face the United States if Gilas Pilipinas qualifies for the Olympics in August.
This is according to a report in GMA News Online wherein Pangilinan said in an interview that he really wanted to see the Philippines and the US play in the Rio Olympics.
“Kung palarin tayo na manalo sa July, sana mag-Group A tayo,” he said. [If we are fortunate in July, we just hope that we’re in Group A.]
“I’d like to see the day the Philippines play the US.”
The national basketball team of the USA is in the Group A wherein there are still two slots that can be filled by the winners coming from three wild card competitions. The other winner will be placed on the next Group.
The US team is known to be one of the most exciting teams to see during the Olympics since the top-most and idolized players from the NBA are there like Lebron James, Stephen Curry, D-Wade, and others.
They also won the gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics.
“We have to send the best team possible, the crowd has to be in there,” he said. “It is a unique opportunity for the Philippines to participate in the Olympics,” Pangilinan said as quoted in the article.
In order to qualify, the Philippines’ Gilas Pilipinas needs to surpass top contenders like France, Canada, New Zealand, Senegal, and Turkey for the qualifiers to be held in Manila.
It will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena on July 5 to 10.
Can the Gilas Pilipinas really face the giant US National Basketball Team in the Rio 2016 Olympics?
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Sources: GMA News Online, Wikipedia