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Asian Games: China game still a must-win as PH eyes good seeding in quarterfinals

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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/news/08/21/gilas.jpg"/><figcaption>Players from Kazakhstan (white) and the Philippines (blue) watch the ball in their men&#x27;s basketball game at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. Lillian Suwanrumpha, AFP</figcaption></figure></div>JAKARTA -- Already assured of a spot in the quarterfinals of the basketball competition in the 2018 Asian Games, the Philippines is still treating its upcoming showdown against China as a “must-win.”A 96-59 rout of Kazakhstan in their first game sealed the Philippines’ place in the next phase of the competition, but a victory over China on Tuesday at the Basket Hall in Gelora Bung Karno will give them the top spot in Group D.“It means something, na if you beat China, you get a lighter assignment (in the quarterfinals),” coach Yeng Guiao said. “Maiiwasan mo ‘yung Korea sa grupo natin, eh ang lakas ng Korea -- may naturalized player pa sila.”“So if we can give ourselves a chance and get lucky and beat China, makakaharap natin baka Thailand or baka Indonesia,” he added.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2018/08/19/guiao-feels-philippines-now-chance-china-45797">Guiao feels Philippines now has a chance against China with Clarkson on board</a></li></ul>Veteran Asi Taulava made it clear that the squad is “not satisfied&quot; with their impressive win over Kazakhstan, which saw them pull away in the second quarter to crush the fourth-placers in the 2014 Asian Games.They intend to improve on that performance against a Chinese team that features two NBA players, Taulava said.“We’re going up against China. China might think they’re gonna come in there, get an easy win. We’re gonna go at them,” he said. “The battle now is who gets the less assignment. So it’s huge if we end up number one, we get to play the number two team.”The game will also mark the Philippine debut of Filipino-American guard Jordan Clarkson, which makes the contest even more of a must-watch.Clarkson has sought to downplay the pressure on him and stressed that the Philippines must treat their showdown against China as “any other game.” Regardless, Guiao won’t deny that having the 26-year-old guard gives the Philippines a massive lift.“Jordan Clarkson adds a lot of options, whether they’re zoning or playing matchup,” Guiao said. “He will add a lot of options on our offensive attack.”Game time is at 4 p.m. in Jakarta.For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

Already assured of a spot in the quarterfinals of the basketball competition in the 2018 Asian Games, the Philippines is still treating its upcoming showdown against China as a “must-win.”

Already assured of a spot in the quarterfinals of the basketball competition in the 2018 Asian Games, the Philippines is still treating its upcoming showdown against China as a “must-win.”

Asian Games: China game still a must-win as PH eyes good seeding in quarterfinals

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Asian Games: China game still a must-win as PH eyes good seeding in quarterfinals

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 21, 2018 05:48 AM PHT

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Updated Aug 21, 2018 01:27 PM PHT

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Asian Games

basketball

Gilas Pilipinas

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