Senegal will ‘go for revenge’ if matched with Gilas at FIBA OQT

Jane Bracher

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Senegal will ‘go for revenge’ if matched with Gilas at FIBA OQT
'If we have to face the Philippines again we'll go for revenge,' says Senegal's veteran player Maleye Ndoye

MANILA, Philippines – The costly blow from the Philippines at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup is still fresh in the minds of Senegal heading into the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Maleye Ndoye, 35 and the oldest player on the Senegal squad, said in a story on FIBA.com that if his team and the Philippines were to meet again at the Olympic qualifier hosted in Manila, they would be eyeing some payback.

“It was a tough loss for us, and it remains in my mind,” Ndoye was quoted, recalling the Group Phase loss that ultimately sent Senegal on a collision course with hosts Spain in the Round of 16.

“Had we won that game, we probably would have avoided hosts Spain in the Round of 16, and we would have advanced to the Quarterfinals, which no African team had ever achieved.

“But, if we have to face the Philippines again we’ll go for revenge.”

Gilas Pilipinas, the Philippine national men’s basktball team, punched its first win on the world stage in 40 years at the expense of Senegal, 81-79, in overtime.

It was team captain Ndoye who forced overtime for Senegal with a booming 3-pointer after faking off guard LA Tenorio with 33.1 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Senegal advanced to the next round after defeating Puerto Rico and Croatia but got thrashed, 89-56, by powerhouse Spain, which is ranked second in the world by FIBA.

Senegal, which finished fourth in the AfroBasket 2015, will visit Philippine shores this July and attempt to make the Olympic basketball tournament for the first time since 1980.

Senegal, ranked 31 in the world, is in Group A with Turkey and Canada, while the Philippines, ranked 28, is in Group B with France and New Zealand.

A rematch of the 2014 World Cup may ensue if both Senegal and the Philippines advance to the next round and match up in the standings.

“I know it won’t be easy because Philippines’ fans are very supportive of their team,” added Ndoye.

Ndoye also noted the tough competition they’ll have to go through in order to make the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro this August.

“We have no choice, it’s a tough draw for us. We have to play Canada, a basketball country, to begin the procedures,” he said.

“But I think we are going to be ready, then we’ll see what happens next. We are all excited about the challenge, and we are going to take our chances.”

The Philippines will play host to one of 3 simultaneous Olympic qualifiers taking place from July 4 to 10. The winner of each tournament will qualify for the Rio Olympics. – Rappler.com

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