Gilas Pilipinas will be given more chance to keep a very close fight against the tall Boomers as one of their key players won't be able to play in the court due to injury.
Shooting guard Chris Goulding, who plays for Melbourne United in the National Basketball League, broke his ankle in the third quarter of their 94-84 loss to Illawarra Hawks at Hisense Arena yesterday. It was their final game in the regular season.
The 193-cm Goulding had his first experience as a Boomers during the first window of World Cup qualifier in November. He averaged nine points in two games.
But Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman played down concerns of any serious injury to his start shooting guard and expects him to be available for their opening semi-final game against the New Zealand Breakers in Melbourne on March
3.
