Creek preaches caution despite unbeaten slate

MELBOURNE (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Australia have been ultra dominant in the Asian Qualifiers, but star player Mitch Creek is not one to rest on his laurels.

Creek was solid in the first window last November, but he was much more potent in the second window, putting up 15.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game while shooting 77.8 percent from the field. Thanks to his dominant showing, the Boomers secured wins against two teams known for their speed and shooting - Philippines and Chinese Taipei.

"We knew they were going to play an uptempo style and be tough to handle at first," Creek confessed after their 84-68 win over Gilas Pilipinas. "We struggled in the first half to execute well, but we were able to open up the game in the second half with our fitness and when we pushed the ball down their throats."

One other adjustment Creek and his teammates had to make was to the crowd. Their game against the Philippines was held at the Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne, but it felt more like a road game with the Filipino fans handily outnumbering the Australian supporters.

Creek knows the atmosphere will be even more imposing when they face the Philippines on July 2 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan City, which can seat up to 50,000 spectators.

"It felt like a home game for them!" Creek said. "It's a different atmosphere, but you just have to get used to it."

At 4-0, Australia have not only cemented their place at the top of Group B. They have also officially booked their place in the Second Round of the Qualifiers and two more wins in the third window will give them the inside track to secure one of the seven Asia spots for next year's FIBA Basketball World Cup in China.

The Boomers play Japan next on 29 June before closing their first round campaign against the Filipinos.

Australia, of course, are heavily favored to win both fixtures, but Creek, despite his jaw-dropping performance so far, is not keen on overlooking their foes. Instead, the 6ft 5in (1.96m) wingman preaches caution ahead of their road trip to Japan and the Philippines.

"Just because we won before, it doesn't mean we're going to win again," he explained. "We have to prepare like we normally do, come in fresh and hopefully we continue to run, defend and execute our game plan to come out on top."

FIBA