The Chinese Taipei national basketball team which represents Taiwan in international competitions admitted that the recent roster of Gilas Pilipinas is way better compared to the previous line-up of the Philippines during the time when they meet the nationals in 2013. A strong statement from veterans of the Chinese Taipei squad came after their recent loss to the Philippines in the Jones Cup 2015.
During the last time that the Filipinos meet the Taiwanese in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship in Manila, they were able to defeat the Filipinos although the Philippines moved on to become the silver medalist of the competition.
One of the veterans of Chinese Taipei team, Tseng Wen-Ting, the 7-foot-veteran of Taiwan, the Filipinos are more aggressive now in the shaded lane, despite the absence of naturalized center Andray Blatche and PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo.
The naturalized center of Taiwan, Quincy Davis also noted that he found the going “frustrating” in the battle inside the paint and noted that the Filipinos had a lot of big guys who could give up the fouls. Davis was held to just 12 points and 13 rebounds against the Filipinos who won the game with the final score of 77-69.
According to Tseng Wen-Ting on his part, the Filipino defense of the Gilas Pilipinas 3.0 is tougher, so they made a lot of turnovers. The stats also proved that the Filipinos were indeed doing their job, Fil-Tongan Asi Taulava and PBA no. 1 draft pick Moala Tautuaa lost narrowly in the rebounding battle with 43-47.
Newcomer Calvin Abueva and Terrence Romeo were considered the heroes of the game during the Chinese Taipei battle as they brought the Filipinos back to life after their dismal third quarter performance.