The Philippine National Basketball Team, Gilas Pilipinas will face powerhouse European team Croatia during the opening match of Philippines in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain tomorrow, August 30, 2014. The Gilas Pilipinas vs. Croatia match-up will be shown live through TV5 and ABS-CBN Sports+Action. Here’s our comprehensive game preview of Gilas Pilipinas vs. Croatia.
Watch the Team Preview of Croatia:
The Croatian National Basketball Team is best known as the opponent of the original US Dream Team during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics Basketball Finals wherein Croatia managed to capture the Olympics silver medal. Chicago Bulls player Toni Kukoc led Croatia while his team mate Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
In the 2014 FIBA World Cup, the Philippines will be facing one of the most popular team in Europe, Croatia which is ranked by FIBA at No. 16 worldwide, the Gilas Pilipinas is currently ranked at No. 34 worldwide.
Players to Watch for Croatia:
Croatia’s naturalized player is Oliver Lafayette, he currently played for Olympiacos in Greece and he went undrafted in the NBA during the 2007 season. He will be Croatia’s starting point guard alongside Roko Ukic.
The best offensive weapon of Croatia is Bojan Bogdanovic, who can overpower opposing small forwards and was recently signed by the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA. The 25-year-old stands 6-foot-8 is one of Europe’s explosive player as he averaged 17.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game during the 2013 Eurobasket and Croatia’s leading scorer during the tournament.
Some of Europe’s most promising young players are also playing for Croatia such as the 19-year-old Mario Hezonja and the 20-year-old Dario Saric. The 6-foot-10 Dario Saric was the MVP of the 2011 FIBA Europe U16 tournament, leading Croatia to a gold medal finish. He also led Croatia to third place in the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championships.
Other notable players includes Krunoslav Simon, Luka Babic, Damjan Rudez, Luka Zoric, Luksa Andric and Ante Tomic, Croatia’s best low post threat who stands at 7-foot-2 and played for Barcelona in European professional basketball.
Here’s the Complete Line-up of Croatia:
Position | Name | Age | Height | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|
PG | Roko Ukic | 24 | 6’5 | Panathinaikos |
PG | Oliver Lafayette | 30 | 6’2 | Olympiacos |
SG | Krunoslav Simon | 29 | 6’6 | Lokomotiv-Kuban |
SG | Mario Hezonja | 19 | 6’8 | Barcelona |
SF | Bojan Bogdanovic | 25 | 6’8 | Brooklyn Nets |
SF | Luka Babic | 22 | 6’7 | Cedevita Zagreb |
SF | Damjan Rudez | 28 | 6’10 | Indiana Pacers |
PF | Dario Saric | 20 | 6’10 | Anadolu Efes |
PF | Damir Markota | 28 | 6’10 | Bilbao |
C | Ante Tomic | 27 | 7’2 | Barcelona |
C | Luka Zoric | 29 | 6’11 | Fenerbahce Ulker |
C | Luksa Andric | 29 | 6’11 | BC Astana |