Bruno Fernandes celebrates throughout a recreation in opposition to Gilas Pilipinas within the Fiba World Cup at Araneta Coliseum. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
MANILA, Philippines — Angola massive man Bruno Fernando heaped reward on June Mar Fajardo and the “well-coached” Gilas Pilipinas on Sunday evening.
Fernando helped Angola enhance its bid to qualify for the second spherical after beating Gilas, 80-70, in Group A of the Fiba World Cup earlier than 12,784 followers at Araneta Coliseum.
“[They are a ] well-coached staff. A variety of expertise, plenty of guys that may actually play basketball. They made it robust for us, we have been capable of come on the market and combat in opposition to them. Quantity 15, Fajardo, plenty of credit score, anyone that all of us gotta respect. He has plenty of recreation to him,” Fernando advised reporters.
“Clearly, Jordan is the pinnacle of the snake. Credit to them, the staff, and the coach. Thoroughly-coached staff. Nice win for us.”
Fajardo, who shone with 16 factors and 7 rebounds in Friday’s loss to the Dominican Republic, nonetheless caught the eye of Fernando regardless of ending with solely 4 factors on 2-of-5 taking pictures from the sector with seven rebounds.
The 25-year-old Fernando, alternatively, confirmed why he’s a member of the Atlanta Hawks within the NBA with 14 factors, together with one monstrous dunk, and 7 rebounds.
Angola heart Bruno Fernando. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
The 6-foot-10 heart stated Angola wanted to claim its aggressiveness to decelerate the Filipinos after their robust first quarter.
“We simply needed to be aggressive. I believe that’s one factor that we all know we now have a bonus. Now we have an edge in opposition to plenty of groups. Now we have plenty of our bodies to throw at individuals,” Fernando stated. “We simply proceed to go on the market and present plenty of aggressiveness. We simply proceed to do our greatest to reap the benefits of their errors defensively and at this time was an excellent one. We’re gonna use that and transfer on to the following one.”
Fernando was relieved after getting the essential win because the Angolans bounced again from a tricky opening loss to Italy, which they tied at 1-1.
“It means rather a lot to us. It was an excellent win and we wanted it. Like what I stored saying, credit score to the staff. Thoroughly-coached. But additionally credit score to us. We got here out right here making an attempt to combat. We all know that there’s gonna be plenty of issues in opposition to them taking part in at house: the refs, the gang, having the ability to combat them on the court docket,” he stated. “It was an excellent win. We’re simply excited that we bought the win, we’re simply excited that we bought this win and rejoice and luxuriate in this and fear in regards to the subsequent one.”
After getting their first win, Fernando braces for Angola’s must-win recreation in opposition to unbeaten Dominican Republic, led by three-time NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Cities.
“It’s gonna be a tricky one. Like I stated, we’re gonna come out with the identical vitality that we come out at this time,” he stated.
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