Kanong coach na-impress sa Gilas

NANINIWALA ang Amerikanong coach na si Cody Toppert na malakas ang tsansa ng Gilas Pilipinas na umabot sa ikalawang round ng FIBA World Cup sa Espanya.

Tinalo ng Gilas ang Elev8 ni Toppert, 93-84, sa ikatlong tune-up na laro ng national team ni coach Chot Reyes noong isang araw sa Miami, Florida.

Ayon kay Toppert, nagustuhan niya ang bilis at mahusay na ikot ng bola ng Gilas kaya tinalo nito ang mga beterano ng NBA D League at US NCAA.

“I thought they (Gilas) shot the ball extremely well and did an excellent job of withstanding our runs,” wika ni Toppert sa panayam ng www.spin.ph.

Idinagdag ni Toppert na maganda ang pagsasama ng dalawang naturalized na manlalaro ng Gilas na sina Marcus Douthit at Andray Blatche sa kanilang mga kakampi.

“They have a few guys that can really shoot the ball well. And the naturalized guys are a good contrast to that, bringing a solid inside-outside punch,” ani Toppert. “My points about ability to press the ball at all positions is a way they can make up for lack of size. They will need to make the other team uncomfortable on offense, deny passing lanes. If they do these things, they give themselves the best chance (sa World Cup).”

(James Ty III)