The Philippines’ Gilas Pilipinas is scheduled for a head-to-head game against the Team Angola at 3:30 P.M. on September 4, 2019 live from the Foshan International Sports and Cultural Center, Foshan, China.
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Both the Angolans and the Filipinos are still searching for their first win in the ongoing 2019 FIBA World Cup.
This afternoon will be their chance to fulfill their goal but only one team will be granted for that elusive victory.
Gilas Pilipinas has a total loss margin of 105 points in its first two outings. Against team Italy, they got defeated by 46 and against Serbia, it was 59.
For team Angola, their total loss margin point was 77. Versus the Serbians, they absorbed a tough loss at 46 while against the Italians it was 31.
Looking at those numbers it appears that the Angolan got a better edge against the Gilas Pilipinas. However, in the FIBA rankings, the Philippines is at number 31 while Angola is at 39.
That’s why Gilas head coach Yeng Guiao finds today’s match will be tight.
“It’s going to be really tight. I feel Angola is a strong team, and Italy and Serbia are just in a class by themselves and not at our level. But I guess Angola and the Philippines would be a good matchup. Angola also has the size, actually. They also have the strength, they have the veterans,” said Guiao.
Though team Angola has no NBA player in their roster yet they got Euroleague and Division 1 veterans.
“Some of those players have played Euroleague and Division 1 basketball, actually. So it’s going to be a tough matchup for us, especially coming from these tough two losses. We have to lift up the spirits of the guys to be able to play well in the next game,” said Guiao.
Team Angola head coach Will Voigt isn’t new with the Philippine basketball. He helped the Phoenix Fuel Masters during the time of coach Ariel Vanguardia.
“I’m familiar with some of their players from the time I’ve spent in the Philippines. For us, we’re gonna have to guard them one-on-one, they do a lot in the open court. So hopefully our guys are ready for that challenge,” he said.