Gilas Pilipinas Head Coach Chot Reyes expressed his dismay over the results of the FIBA Basketball World Cup draw.
"This is the World Cup. There is no such thing as an easy draw," Reyes told reporters during the group draw on Saturday, April 29, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
"It is not ideal but could have been better," Reyes stressed.
Based on the results of the draw, the Dominican Republic, Italy, and Angola will join the Philippines in Group A of the quadrennial international basketball tournament.
Reyes revealed that he hoped that Ivory Coast will join Group A rather than Angola since he sees the latter as 'a tougher team'.
"The good thing is that now we have some clarity on whom we are playing, and what kind of preparations is necessary to be at our best come August," the coach said.
Reyes also admitted that the draw results might affect the entry of the Philippines in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.
"I was also looking at the other groups because it is important that our other Asian competitors are in tough groups because the best Asian team is the one that goes to the Olympics," Reyes said.
The 59-year-old coach specifically mentioned China and Iran as among the Asian teams that could secure wins in their respective groups.
China will face Serbia, Puerto Rico, and South Sudan, while Iran will go against Spain, Brazil, and Ivory Coast in Group G.
Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia will co-host the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which will open on August 25 and conclude on September 10.
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Coach Chot on World Cup draw: 'Could have been better'