Who will guard Karl-Anthony Towns?

WITH exactly a week to go before the Philippines opens its 2023 FIBA World Cup campaign against Dominican Republic, former national coach Norman Black said on Friday, August 18, that Gilas Pilipinas will have to bring its A-game on defense to overcome the Karl-Anthony Towns-led squad.

Appearing as guest at One Sports' “The Game,” Black noted that stopping the seven-foot Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star player is just next to impossible.

“I don't think we can stop him (Towns). No way that's gonna happen in this tournament,” Black said.

The 65-year-old former PBA import added that Towns, the 2016 NBA Rookie of the Year, will have the lion's share of the touches, given his NBA pedigree and ability to dominate the game at any given night.

Three-time NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves practices with the Dominican Republic team. FIBA.BASKETBALL PHOTO

“It's not the Minnesota Timberwolves where the ball is being shared by Karl-Anthony Towns or (Rudy) Gobert or anybody from the team. But he's gonna get his shots,” Black added.

Given the talent and the stature of the three-time NBA All-Star, Black said that the biggest concern for Gilas Pilipinas heading into the titanic showdown on opening night is who will guard Anthony Towns, a player known for his versatility and outside shooting.

“My biggest concern is where will he play? Will he go back to the center position and play inside? And if that happens, of course, probably it's gonna be Kai (Sotto) or June Mar Fajardo who'll gonna be picking him up (on defense), and then also, they have to move out of the floor to the three-point line which will be difficult,” explained Black, noting that the the 27-year-old Towns has a shooting clip of 36 percent from the three-point area.

And while Black said that Japeth Aguilar, who is bidding to play in his third FIBA World Cup, as well as young big man AJ Edu are good perimeter defenders, they need to work doubly hard to contain the number one overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft.

“I've played in a lot of conferences in the PBA where there were unlimited [height] on imports and I played against big guys so one thing you have to do is have a good base and stay low. Because if you stand straight up and down, the big guy will just push you out of your position and just put a hand at your back and move you,” said Black, who has been moved from head coach to being Meralco's team consultant.

“Just stay down low, make sure also you have a strong forearm because that's the only thing you have to keep him off of you.”

Black served as the Philippine team's head coach in the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, Japan that placed fourth. He also guided the Sinag national squad to the men's basketball gold medal in the 2011 Southeast Asian Games.

“It's always a challenge when you play against bigger players and bigger teams, but if you could also discuss the fundamentals, and push your game plan at the bigger guys, then have a little bit of help behind him (big player) on defense,” said Black.

“The coaches come up with a game plan, and have help defense come in because as long as you don't get dominated with off the dribble and (let them) score, you can defend their big guys.”

Aside from the Dominican Republic, Gilas is also bracketed with Angola and Italy in Group A.

The Philippines plays Angola on August 27 and Italy on August 29. Both games will be played at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.