Margin of error slim for Gilas Pilipinas, says Dwight Ramos

Dwight Ramos (with ball) will carry a lot of load for Gilas Pilipinas.—FIBA PHOTO

Dwight Ramos understands Gilas Pilipinas is in a situation where one mistake could virtually end any chance of qualifying for next year’s FIBA World Cup.

“When we first started [training], we already discussed that we can’t lose one or two games,” Ramos said. “We got to … shoot for being perfect and give ourselves a chance to make the World Cup.”

That arduous task begins Friday as Gilas opens the second round of the Asian Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena against Jordan, which is a massive test by all means.

Tipoff is at 8:30 p.m. to cap off a busy three-game bill that will see four other teams seeing action at MOA as its neutral site.

Iran and New Zealand square off at 2 p.m. before Australia takes on Syria at 5:30 p.m. The Middle Eastern teams were forced to play here due to the Iran conflict.

With no Justin Brownlee for the window, Gilas has elected to go all-Filipino for the match, with RJ Abarrientos and new addition Justin Arana being the last two cuts.

Coach Tim Cone has elected to go with the returning Kai Sotto, whose presence could be crucial for Gilas. Also back are Scottie Thompson and CJ Perez, who both skipped the third window.

The rest are the usual suspects: Ramos, Kevin Quiambao, Carl Tamayo, AJ Edu, Juan Gomez de Liaño, Chris Newsome, Troy Rosario, Justine Baltazar and June Mar Fajardo, who could retire from Gilas after this window.

Gilas sits tied with Syria at 2-4 in Group E, outside of the top four, and the notion is that the Philippines may have to sweep the second round or can afford one defeat to at least get a shot at finishing in the top four and qualify for the World Cup in Doha.

Australia is unbeaten at 6-0, Jordan and Iran are tied at 5-1, while New Zealand is at fourth with a 4-2 card.

After Jordan, Gilas plays Iran on Sunday, also at MOA. For now, the focus is on the Jordanian side eager to strengthen its top four position.

“We’re familiar with the Jordan team. Probably more familiar with Jordan than we are with Iran,” said Cone. “But the guy that we’re going to have to be really concerned about is their Justin Brownlee (naturalized player), Jalen Harris.”

“He’s averaged [23.3] points a game in the Qualifiers, so he’s someone that we’re going to have to find some stoppers to go against. And so that makes them, with Jalen Harris, very formidable for us to defend.”

Cone is also not taking his eyes away from Jordan’s other key players, guard Freddie Ibrahim and big man Ahmad Al-Dwairi.

Jordan is coming off a campaign in the William Jones Cup in Taiwan, where it went 2-4 in the group stage before losing to Philippine side Strong Group Athletics, 96-91, in a consolation round game for fifth place. INQ