SEA Games 2017 Preview: Laos

Laos has participated in only one major tournament since the turn of the millennium, so we’re just not really sure what to expect from them here in the 2017 SEA Games. 

[อ่านภาษาไทย คลิกที่นี่เลยครับ]

Overview

We’ve never been able to get a good grasp on what exactly Laos basketball should look like with their limited participation in these major tournaments, but their participation in the SEA Games should be a good sign for starting their development.

The last time Laos participated in a major basketball tournament was in 2015 for the SEABA Championship where they ended up at 5th with a lone victory over Brunei.

They will be returning 6 players from that squad and I don’t really know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.

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Players

First Name	Surname	DOB	Team
Siphendone	Lothalath	19/11/1993	N/A
Sengsavanh	Phengyalath	26/02/1995	N/A
Phimmasone	Phannolath	13/08/1993	N/A
Phetmany	Xayyasena	03/10/1991	N/A
Kimvanh	Deebounhueang	14/11/1994	N/A
Anouphab	Sonenalad	27/02/1995	N/A
Chanthepha	Phetsavan	09/04/1986	N/A
Chittakone	Meuntanh	14/12/1981	N/A
Bounthavy	Hiengphothichak	23/03/1992	N/A
Saleumxay	Nambouth	20/01/1980	N/A
Sounthala	Chaleunphon	10/10/1995	N/A
Nadonhay	Phoutthasene	13/02/1983	N/A

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Schedule (According to Malaysia Time GMT +8)

21/8 15:45 PM vs. Singapore
22/8 9:00 AM vs. Cambodia
23/8 9:00 AM vs. Vietnam
24/8 15:45 PM vs. Indonesia

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Player(s) to Watch

Player	Notable Stats	Competition	Team
Siphendone Lothalath	32.1 MPG, 13.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG	SEABA ‘Chip 2015	Laos

I’ll have to use the term “Player to Watch” very loosely here. The only player I’ve ever seen in action was Siphendone Lothalath who played for the Dunkin’ Raptors in the TBSL for a grand total of 7.8 minutes per game over 8 games.

Lothalath is going to be Laos go-to guy as he was in the SEABA Championship 2015 where he averaged 13.4 points per game. It was mainly his 35-point outburst against Brunei that got Laos their lone win in the tournament.

It’s unlikely that Lothalath is going to be “Star” in the SEA Games here, but he’ll be the closest thing Laos will have to that status in the tournament.

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What to Expect

I’d love to be able to write more Laos, but I really do know nothing.

Expect some feel good moments for when Lothalath has a big scoring game, but not really much to expect other than that.

What I don’t expect is for me to ever typing the names of a Laos player right again without looking it up first.

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3 Key Points

1. Enjoy
   The key for Laos to come out of the SEA Games experience as a success is to enjoy the whole experience. There will be brutal blowouts, but it’s all about having fun and doing your best.
2. Stick to Your Game
   No matter how things go… it’s important for the Laos players to stick to their game plan, whatever gameplan it is that the coach rolls out.
   It’s going to be frustrating to be in the middle of a blowout and you just want to go wild, but for the sake of development it’s better to play your game and see how things go.
3. Keep Coming Back
   Obviously easier said than done, but the key to growing the sport is to keep participating in these major tournaments. It’s not only to come and win the whole thing, but it’s a good measuring stick to see how far apart teams are and what might be needed to develop further on.

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Bottom Line

There’s no point in sugar-coating anything. Laos is going to be pretty lucky to come away with a win. Their game against Cambodia will probably be the closest they will get, so might as well take their biggest swing there.

More Previews

Philippines
Indonesia
Singapore
Thailand
Malaysia
Cambodia
Vietnam
Myanmar
Laos

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