But the real challenge was to win two in a row in the sixth window for a chance to qualify. Guiao said he deflected the pressure on the players by assuming absolute accountability for whatever would be the outcome. All I asked of them was to give their very best and they did.” It was the secret to the sweep. Guiao called in Blatche for the sixth window and the nine-year NBA veteran reported for duty, taking a break from his club Tianjin in the Chinese Basketball Association. But after the Australia melee, FIBA sacked 10 Gilas players – two for one game, four for three, three for five and one for six.

Source: Philippine Star February 27, 2019 16:00 UTC