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FIBA World Cup: Australia ready to deal with Gilas – and Pinoy fans

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/tvpatrol/07/01/fiba.jpg"/><figcaption>The Australian national basketball team ahead of their FIBA qualifier against the Philippines at the Margaret Court Arena last February 22. FIBA photo.</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – On Monday, when Australia faces off against the Philippines in the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers, the Boomers will not only be trying to beat Gilas Pilipinas – they will also attempt to drown out what may just be a record-breaking crowd.Monday’s game – which will determine the leader in Group B at the end of the first round of the qualifiers – will be held at the Philippine Arena, the world’s largest indoor stadium. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is pulling out all stops to fill every nook and cranny of the 55,000-seater venue.Virtually all of those fans will be cheering for Gilas Pilipinas as they attempt to hand Australia its second loss of the qualifiers, and finish as the best team in Group B heading into the second round.After practicing at the Philippine Arena on Sunday afternoon, the Boomers stressed that they are ready – ready to play against Gilas, ready to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Japan, and ready to deal with what may be a rowdy, noisy, passionate crowd of Filipinos.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2018/06/29/fiba-gilas-dominates-taipei-set-australia-rematch-43703">READ: Gilas Pilipinas dominates Taipei to set up Australia rematch</a></li></ul>“It’s going to be a tough game in front of obviously a big, passionate crowd,” said NBA veteran Matthew Dellavedova, who had four points and eight assists in Australia’s shocking 79-78 loss to Japan last Friday.“We gotta be ready to play,” he added.“It’s going to be a tough game in a great stadium,” added Kevin Lisch, another veteran campaigner for Australia. “But we’re looking forward to playing in front of everyone.”Tough challenge from Gilas PilipinasOn paper, Australia remains the favorite even though they are coming off their first loss of the qualifiers. After all, they dominated the Philippines when they played in the second window, 84-68 – and that was without two of their NBA players.Now, Dellavedova and his Milwaukee Bucks teammate, Thon Maker, are looking to lead Australia to another win over Gilas Pilipinas. But this time, they will be on the road. Moreover, they will be playing a Philippine team that is full of confidence after a 93-71 drubbing of Chinese-Taipei last Friday.The Boomers have no illusions as to the challenge that awaits them.“The Philippines is extremely talented team. They put up a good battle for us when we played them a couple of months ago in Melbourne,” said Lisch, who had 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting when they first played against Gilas.“They obviously have a number of great players and we&#x27;re gonna have to be ready to play and play well, to come out and win tomorrow night,” added Dellavedova.Indeed, as tough as the challenge is, the Boomers are quite excited to once again play the Philippines – and perhaps, quiet their fans in the process.“I think it’s wonderful that the people are coming,” said Lisch. “I think it’s an excitement for our team, and the Philippine team, for everyone to play in front of the fans.”“We look at it as a great opportunity to play in a beautiful stadium, and play in front of a lot of people,” he added.Game time between the Philippines and Australia is at 7:30 p.m. Filipino fans are encouraged to wear blue in support of Gilas Pilipinas.<div>For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.</div>

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is pulling out all stops to fill every nook and cranny of the 55,000-seater venue.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is pulling out all stops to fill every nook and cranny of the 55,000-seater venue.

FIBA World Cup: Australia ready to deal with Gilas – and Pinoy fans

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FIBA World Cup: Australia ready to deal with Gilas – and Pinoy fans

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 01, 2018 06:36 PM PHT

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Updated July 02, 2018 01:50 AM PHT

Read More:

FIBA World Cup

Gilas Pilipinas

basketball

Australia

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