Gilas Pilipinas will look to pick up the pieces (again), as they go up against South Sudan in the classification round this Thursday. Will the Philippines finally get that elusive victory? Or, will South Sudan give Filipinos another reason to drink?
Catch this game live on Thursday, August 31, at 8:00 PM, Manila time
Philippines (0-3)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: RR Pogoy
- SG: Jordan Clarkson
- SF: Dwight Ramos
- PF: AJ Edu
- C: Junemar Fajardo
Coming off yet another heartbreaking loss, the Philippines are still seeking their first win in the tournament. The Philippines’ 90-83 loss to Italy on Tuesday wiped out any chance left for the host nation to move on to the next round, but at least they managed to cover the spread. Losing by just seven points to the No. 10 team in the world can be considered a consolation for the Filipinos, but that was a hundred percent success for every bettor who took the spread on the Philippines.
Even though they are out of title contention in the FIBA World Cup, there is still enough motivation for the Philippines to win games. After all, an Olympic spot in the Paris Games in 2024 is still up for grabs. After getting peppered with long-range bombs by Italy, the Philippines will be facing another hot-shooting team in South Sudan. Regression will be on the side of Gilas here also because they are due to break out from behind the arc after knocking down only 29% of their threes in the first round.
South Sudan (1-2)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Carlik Jones
- SG: Marial Shayok
- SF: Carlik Jones
- PF: Kuany Ngor Kuany
- C: Wenyen Gabriel
South Sudan finished the first round with a 1-2 record, with their lone win during the group stage coming at the expense of China last Monday (89-69). In their most recent outing, South Sudan showed how far behind they are of European powerhouse Serbia, as they lost to Nikola Jovic and company on Wednesday, 115-83. It should get easier for them this Thursday against the winless Gilas squad.
Carlik Jones has been the top performer so far in the tournament for South Sudan. Jones, who played for the Dallas Mavericks and the Chicago Bulls, is leading South Sudan with 19.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Jones is coming off a forgettable performance in the Serbia game, scoring just three points on 1/5 shooting from the field, though, he had six assists. Dut Jok Kacuol, meanwhile, could still have the hot thanks for South Sudan this Thursday after going off for 21 points with six 3-pointers in the loss to Serbia. Sudan is shooting lights out in the World Cup thus far, posting a 42.7 3FG%. Their size and outside shooting could combine for a nightmarish night defensively for Gilas.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: The Philippines (+3.5) cover the spread.
Over/Under: The total (169) hits the Under.
