[1/4 Final] Philippines - Lebanon

[judasmartel]

The Philippines bounced back strong to get the top spot in Group E after the opening day shock loss to Palestine by beating Japan, Iran, and India along the way; while Lebanon escaped another 2nd half meltdown in their do-or-die game vs Jordan.

The confidence of the Philippine team has been boosted by their upset win over Iran in the 2nd day of the 2nd round. They struggled against Japan and India, but came out on top in the end.

Ahmad Ibrahim is still uncertain to play in this game, but they have been playing inspired basketball so far, doing very well to make it to the quarterfinal without Fadi El Khatib, who wasn't able to suit up for the Lebanese NT due to contract problems with El Khatib's CBA team Foshan Dralions.

The Lebanese small ball offense will be tested against the tough Philippine defense.

One interesting tidbit of this game is the coaching matchup between Serbian coach Veselin Matic and American-New Zealander Tab Baldwin. If you may recall, Baldwin's Jordan team made history by pulling off an upset win against Matic's Iran team in the quarterfinal of the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship. Iran ended up 5th place that year, while Jordan made it all the way to the Final where they lost to China by only one point.

[kaiziken_pinas]

Confident of Gilas' chances, but you can never count out the Cedars.

[Khalid80]

On paper this Gilas team is much stronger but in such elimination games you never know what happens... I hope it will be an exciting match and up to the expectations

[lebanese NT]

I see a blow out for Gilas. This is the real deal now and the teams will be focused from the 1st minute. I dont see lebanon surprising gilas with a run early on while a meltdown in the 2nd half became a trend for lebanon.if we can limit blatche to 15 pts ( very hard) and their 3 pts percentage to around 30% we win.

[athangonzales]

Goodluck to both teams. Pilipinas FTW!

[Khalid80]

I see a blow out for Gilas. This is the real deal now and the teams will be focused from the 1st minute. I dont see lebanon surprising gilas with a run early on while a meltdown in the 2nd half became a trend for lebanon.if we can limit blatche to 15 pts ( very hard) and their 3 pts percentage to around 30% we win.

The team should play without any pressure and keep fighting without giving up... Hope they can stay focused for the whole match and most importantly score their FT's... No chance if we're going to continue shooting below 60% from the FT line

[budz17]

Key will be rebounding and transition. If lebanon keeps gilas in the halfcourt they have a chance

[lebanese NT]

The team should play without any pressure and keep fighting without giving up... Hope they can stay focused for the whole match and most importantly score their FT's... No chance if we're going to continue shooting below 60% from the FT line

Mainly it's jay with the worst FT percentage. Also arakji used to score his FT under pressure but since game 1 against taipei he missed almost all the clutch FTs he got. Also Ali haidar had one play which is get the ball on the baseline with his back on the basket , then turnover quickly and drive towards the paint to score a 2pt or take a foul. And all of this from almost the same side. The jordanians read it and were prepared to it from the start. They started to double team him everytime he took the ball on the baseline.

[Lamartine]

To beat Philippines, do you think Lebanon can get some inspiration from what Palestine and especially Japan did to Gilas?
What will be the best scenario for Lebanon? Blatche foul troubler + tough def on Romeo Ocampo and co?

[Cammomile]

for you to stop gilas you only need to stop 3 ppol...blatche,william,romeo ...problem is you also have abueva the 6'1 rebounding demon that goes court to court on every rebound he gets.... zone em coz they are not that accurate on open 3's unlike the koreans/japanese.... blatche will be a big problem for you guys....

[sexylebanese69]

Baldwin I remember used to feed the ball to Vroman and Freije at the top of the key to initiate the set offense when he was our coach, I dont know the case with Gilas, havent watched them this tournament but is it the case with Blatche as well ?

Also its a coaches duel too, Serbian vs American school. 1-0 head to head in favour of Baldwin.

[crush]

Baldwin I remember used to feed the ball to Vroman and Freije at the top of the key to initiate the set offense when he was our coach, I dont know the case with Gilas, havent watched them this tournament but is it the case with Blatche as well ?

Also its a coaches duel too, Serbian vs American school. 1-0 head to head in favour of Baldwin.

He still uses former Gilas coach Reyes' dribble-drive-offense but also added his own "swing" offense. Guards like Castro and Romeo initiate the offense.

Blatche does get the ball on top of the key sometimes but when it happens he just usually take jumpers or go 1-on-1. Well, he is the only one in the team with the leeway to play 1-on-1.

[emalBlame]

for you to stop gilas you only need to stop 3 ppol...blatche,william,romeo ...problem is you also have abueva the 6'1 rebounding demon that goes court to court on every rebound he gets.... zone em coz they are not that accurate on open 3's unlike the koreans/japanese.... blatche will be a big problem for you guys....

For the 3pt% Philippines is actua1lly #5 lebanon as #2, but we shot more and hit more.


For the 2pt% lebanon at #6 Philippines #7. We have more PPG and we attempt and made more

[Khalid80]

For the 3pt% Philippines is actua1lly #5 lebanon as #2, but we shot more and hit more.

For the 2pt% lebanon at #6 Philippines #7. We have more PPG and we attempt and made more

True but the FG% is better for Lebanon from both 3PT and 2PT range especially 3PT %.

[Khalid80]

I don't like how Matic was talking in this interview... Even if Philippines are better opponents for us than Iran...

http://www.philstar.com/sports/basketball/fiba-asia-2015/news/2015/09/30/1505596/lebanon-coach-relieved-play-gilas-instead-iran