AFTER completing a perfect fourth window in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, Chris Newsome knows there is little time for Gilas Pilipinas to celebrate.
With the Philippines now turning its attention to the Asian Games, Newsome stressed that the squad that will defend the country’s title will be a completely different team, with a different lineup and system.
“That’s going to be a completely different team, completely different lineup, but how we’re going to run things is going to be completely different as well,” Newsome said.
For Newsome, the key will be preparation.
“It’s going to go down to the preparation, and those guys are working every single day. They’re working really hard,” he added.
The Asian Games-bound players will now have more time to build chemistry together, something Newsome believes will be crucial with a new-look squad.
“And now we finally get that time to mesh everyone together and see how that chemistry goes,” he said.
Newsome also echoed Tim Cone’s mindset that the team cannot spend too long celebrating its latest two wins over Jordan and Iran.
“We have to have a short-term memory. Enjoy this one for tonight. But then, you know, we got more work to do for the country,” Newsome added.
The veteran guard is particularly excited about the hunger of the players who will be joining the Asian Games team for the first time.
“I know those guys that are going to be joining that Asian Games team for the first time, I know they’re hungry,” Newsome said.
“Seeing them in the scrimmages, you can see that fire in their eyes.”
And for Newsome, that hunger is exactly what Gilas will need when it begins its quest to defend its Asian Games crown.
“That’s exactly what we need is guys that are really hungry, excited to play, excited to represent the country and just do their best while they’re out there,” Newsome said. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
