THE highly-touted USA team leads the bulk of 14 teams arriving in the country in the coming week for the FIBA World Cup.
Coach Steve Kerr and the Americans are coming over on August 22 together with four other delegations from New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Serbia, and Italy, which is pooled with the Philippines in Group A.
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Montenegro was the first to check in the country on Thursday night, three days ahead of its scheduled friendly with Gilas Pilipinas. Ivory Coast, who played Gilas in a tuneup on Friday, is also in town.
Meanwhile, Angola is the first Gilas opponent set to arrive on Saturday (Aug. 19) along with Mexico and Egypt.
The following day (Aug. 20), it’s the turn of Dominican Republic and Greece to turn up for basketball’s biggest showcase set to kick off on Aug. 25 at the Philippine Arena and Mall of Asia Arena, respectively.
Lithuania, China, South Sudan, and Jordan are the last teams to check in on Wednesday (Aug. 23).
Along with Angola, Dominican Republic and Italy are the two other teams the Philippines will be facing in Group A.
Gilas vs Mexico
On Monday, Gilas takes on Mexico in the final outing of its three-game friendlies with Ivory Coast and Montenegro.
Despite lacking its superstar-caliber players, USA remains a top contender for the title. It is pooled with Greece, New Zealand, and Jordan in Group C.
Pool B meanwhile, has Serbia minus two-time MVP Nikola Jokic of NBA champion Denver Nuggets, Puerto Rico, South Sudan, and China, featuring its first ever naturalized player in Kyle Anderson.
Lithuania, Mexico, Montenegro, and Egypt on the other hand, comprise Pool D.
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