ITALY further bolstered its status as the team to beat in Group A with host Gilas Pilipinas after a remarkable build-up marked by an unbeaten campaign in seven matches ahead of the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Already Installed as the heavy favorites in Group A, the Azzurri scored an 88-81 win over New Zealand for its final tune-up match in the FIBA Solidarity Cup in Shenzhen, China.
The world No. 10 Italy previously bested Turkey, 90-89, China, 79-61, Serbia, 89-88, Greece, 74-70, Puerto Rico, 98-65 and Brazil, 93-87 for a clean 7-0 record in its preparation games.
That should be more than enough for the Italians’ rivals to get wary in Group A which also features No. 23 Dominican Republic and No. 41 Angola aside from the No. 40 Philippines.
Italy begins its campaign against Angola for the opening act of the World Cup on Aug. 25 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. Game time is at 4 p.m. Gilas and the Dominican Republic follow suit in the main event at 8 p.m. as the country seeks to surpass the standing mark of 32,616 fans in 1994 Toronto games to set a new FIBA gate attendance record at the 55,000-seater Bocaue arena. — John Bryan Ulanday
