Guam showed out in the opening period, but Gilas Pilipinas began gaining steam in the second period and were simply unstoppable from there. The two teams meet again on Dec. 1 to wrap up the first window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Jonathan Galloway gave Gilas Pilipinas their flowers after Guam got its first taste of world-class basketball Friday night, Nov. 28.
While not exactly happy with the 47-87 loss in their first FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Galloway said it showed what areas they can improve on moving forward.
“Respect to the Philippines. That’s a proven team that showed us what they’re about. Showed us how much work we have to do,” he said after the match at the Yigo Village, Calvo Field House in Guam.
The Guamanians did show some fight at the start behind San Miguel ace Jericho Cruz, who fired 13 of his 17 points.
But things went downhill for Guam beginning in the second period.
Still, Galloway and the rest of the team remained upbeat knowing there’s still room for improvement.
“We truly believe we belong in this level. we know we have the pieces. It’s just about getting better and just about execution,” said Galloway, who finished with eight points, eight rebounds, and four blocks.
“We know it takes time. This is the highest level Guam basketball has ever reached. We want to prove that we belong, we want to win games at this level. So it’s gonna take some time and we all know that.”
Guam will have another shot at Gilas, but will have to survive a projected sellout crowd at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym on Dec. 1.
“There’s a life in front of us. We just gotta keep moving forward,” he said.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.