Black says Gilas to rely on defense in SEAG title defense

Gilas Relying on Defense in SEAG Title Defense

MANILA, Philippines - As Gilas Pilipinas prepares to defend its title in the Southeast Asian Games men's basketball tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, coach Norman Black has revealed that the team will rely heavily on defense to get the job done.

According to Black, the key to success lies in everyone buying into the defensive strategy. We're playing four games, so everybody has to buy in on defending the opposing teams, he said. Defense is always been my strength as a coach and player for that matter, so we just go out and be on the same page defensively.

With only five days to prepare together before the tournament kicks off on December 9, Gilas will be relying on its experience and veteran players like Bobby Ray Parks, Matthew Wright, and Thirdy Ravena to lead the way.

Black emphasized that defense is a more teachable aspect of basketball than offense, making it an essential part of their strategy. Defense is a lot easier to teach in a short period of time than offense, he added. We're playing four games, so we need everyone to buy into defending and rebounding.

Gilas will face Malaysia in its opening game on December 14, followed by Vietnam in the group stage. The top team from each group advances outright to the semifinals, while the second and third place finishers undergo a crossover game with the winners advancing to the semifinals.

The knockout semifinals are set for December 18, with the battle for gold match scheduled on December 19.

Gilas' Defensive Blueprint

Black's emphasis on defense is not surprising given his coaching experience. As a one-time PBA grand slam coach, he knows that defense can be a key to success in basketball. When you get together for a couple of weeks, one key is the ability rebound and run, to try to create easier baskets before the (opposing team's) defense will set up, explained Black.

With Justin Chua, Abu Tratter, and Cedrick Manzano making up Gilas' front court, the team has the potential to dominate the boards and create easy scoring opportunities.

The Road Ahead

Gilas will need to rely on its experience and defensive prowess if it wants to repeat as SEAG champions. With a tough schedule ahead, including games against Malaysia and Vietnam, the team will need to be at its best from day one.

As Black said, Defense is always been my strength as a coach and player for that matter, so we just go out and be on the same page defensively.

In the end, it's all about execution. If Gilas can execute its defensive game plan and create easy scoring opportunities, it will be well on its way to defending its title.

Looking Ahead

As we look to the future of basketball in the Philippines, one thing is clear the importance of defense cannot be overstated. As teams continue to evolve and adapt to new styles of play, a strong defensive game plan will remain essential for success at all levels.

With the rise of Web3 enthusiasts and professionals beyond 2025, it's likely that we'll see even more emphasis placed on defense in the years to come. After all, as any good coach will tell you, defense wins championships.

Keywords Gilas Pilipinas, Norman Black, Southeast Asian Games, men's basketball, defense, team defense, SEAG title defense

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