Alex Cabagnot gives his assessment after ‘sparring session’ with Gilas

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Alex Cabagnot gives his assessment after ‘sparring session’ with Gilas

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Jun 25, 2024 07:54 PM PHT

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Taiwan Mustang's Alex Cabagnot against Gilas Pilipinas. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas not only faced the Taiwan Mustangs in a send-off match as they prepared for the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifiers, but they also locked horns with some familiar faces.

The Mustangs, who are coached by former PBA tactician Chris Gavina, paraded Alex Cabagnot, Rashawn McCarthy, and Geo Chiu as they battled with the Lativa-bound Nationals just before they lost steam in the second half.

Despite absorbing defeat against the Tim Cone-mentored squad, Cabagnot can't help but be in awe of how the Filipino hoopers competed and showed their progress.

"Ang galing. May shooters, penetrators, tapos malalaki sila sa loob. You know [Justin] Brownlee's a beast," said the former Gilas guard himself, who posted 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists as he described the Philippines frontline that at points featured Fajardo and Kai Sotto at the same time.

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"Lumakas si June Mar. Talagang kondisyon siya. I'm a June Mar Fajardo fan. Marami kaming pinagsamahan, and kahit na nasa ibang bansa ako, talagang sinu-support ko sila. Even si Chris Newsome."

Taiwan Mustang's Alex Cabagnot against Gilas Pilipinas. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN NewsTaiwan Mustang's Alex Cabagnot against Gilas Pilipinas. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

"I'm a big fan. I watched that team, but now that I actually played against them, now I became more excited. Diba kapag nanonood lang tayo, sasabihin mo: 'Uy, magaling yan'. But when you're actually playing against them and you're running up and down the court with them, it's like ang galing talaga nila. Mafi-feel mo yung camaraderie nila, teamwork, yung chemistry nila."

"Hindi mo sila pwede maiwan kasi knockdown shooters sila. We were getting close kanina, tapos they hit two three-pointers in a row. And alam mo nang pasok na pasok kasi they moved the ball so well. Guys that can shoot, it's hard to defend," the San Miguel Beermen legend added.

And when asked if Gilas is now ready to bang bodies with the World's No.6 ranked Latvia and No.23 Georgia, Cabagnot quickly offered this response:

"Siyempre naman. Of course, they're ready," he exclaimed, while expressing how he hoped they also gave Gilas a good fight ahead of their next two friendlies against Turkey and Poland.

"We wanted to compete and we wanted to have a nice sparring. Good thing na pinili kami as a sparring partner," said the multiple-time PBA champion.

"Sana nakatulong kami."

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