GILAS Pilipinas defeated reigning PBA Philippine Cup champion Meralco, 96-82, in its lone tune-up match prior to the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
Both sides played undermanned, but nonetheless the national team of coach Tim Cone prevailed in the game played at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna.
Gilas played minus the injured AJ Edu and Jamie Malonzo, along with Calvin Oftana.
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Meralco, meanwhile, was without Allein Maliksi, CJ Cansino, Brandon Bates, and DJ Kennedy, the team’s other import in the East Asia Super League.
Naturalized player Ange Kouame, who also plays for Meralco in the EASL, suited up for the Bolts along with Commissioner’s Cup import Akil Mitchell to simulate the expected bigs New Zealand and Hong Kong are going to field for the Nov. 21 and 24 games at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Chris Newsome played for Gilas and went up against his PBA teammates.
Meralco coach Luigi Trillo noted the Gilas starters carried most of the load, as the second unit struggled to find its rhythm
“Their starters played well particularly (Justin) Brownlee, Dwight Ramos, and Kai Sotto. The new guys struggled a bit, but that is expected,” said Trillo.
The national team led by as many as 16, but Meralco managed to level the count twice.
“The young group of Kai, KQ (Kevin Quiambao), and (Mason) Amos was where we came back I think,” Trillo said. “The newer guys are still trying to fit into the system, but they’re coming along.”
But for a team that just got together again over the weekend after a four-month respite, Gilas played good enough, according to Trillo.
“Overall, they looked impressive and on the right track,” added the Meralco mentor. “They look like they’re getting sharp. I like the different line-ups they can use.”
Gilas already broke camp after a four-day stay at Inspire Academy and is just fine tuning several plays before plunging into action on Thursday when it opens its second window campaign against New Zealand.
The world No. 22 Tall Blacks are currently tied with Gilas in Group B on similar 2-0 records and pose the biggest challenge to the Filipinos in their bracket.
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But judging from the way Gilas played against his team, Trillo believes the Philippine side has a good chance at beating New Zealand.
“They can beat New Zealand if they put their minds to it,” said the Meralco coach.
Gilas kicks off its second-round campaign against New Zealand on Thursday, before taking on Hong Kong on Sunday.
Previously, the national team beat Hong Kong on the road, 94-64, and then thrashed Chinese Taipei at home, 106-53, early this year.
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