Philippines will be "overwhelming underdogs" in FIBA World Cup: coach

MANILA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Yeng Guiao, the head coach of the Philippine men's national team, said his nationals will be "overwhelming underdogs" in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

Guiao said it will take a "miracle" for the Philippines to clinch a victory in the World Cup, after the national team was slotted with powerhouse squads in Serbia, Italy, and Angola in Group D at the end of the draw on last Saturday night.

"I'm not going to say this is the group of death. But like I said, we're overwhelming underdogs. Maybe this is the group of near death," the national team mentor said on Sunday, adding that Serbia is really a world-class team and it's the same with Italy.

However, Guiao does not want to say miracles can't happen.

"The good thing about me is I believe in miracles. But you need to prepare hard for miracles to happen," Guiao said.

If there is a chance for the Philippines to pull off an upset in the quadrennial competition, it will be against Angola.

"They (Angola) are a strong team. Angola is the team that we can say we can realistically upset. But it's going to be a hard win. We will fight tooth and nail to win. That's how hard it's going to be," Guiao said.

The Philippines still has nearly six months to plan and prepare before the World Cup kicks off on August 31 in China.

According to the head coach, he is eyeing to have the national team train for two to three months and to have former NBA veteran Andray Blatche back from the U.S. as early as possible.