GILAS Pilipinas looks to end the first round of the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers on a high when it meets India on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Although favored in the game as hosts, the boys of coach Nenad Vucinic will have to dig deep as it is in danger of fielding only 10 men.
See Double whammy as Tamayo sprains ankle in Gilas' 46-point loss to NZ
Carl Tamayo remains doubtful for the game after suffering a sprained ankle in Gilas' 106-60 defeat to New Zealand last Thursday.
This puts pressure on the remaining bigs, namely Rhenz Abando, Kevin Quiambao, William Navarro, and Geo Chiu against an Indian team that has an average height of 6-foot-6.
Carl Tamayo led the Philippines in scoring against New Zealand with 16 points on 6 of 10 shooting.
Dwight Ramos and Kiefer Ravena are still expected to lead the charge for the Philippines in the 7 p.m. game.
Gilas holds a 1-2 record in Group A, but is already qualified for the second round of the qualifiers after Korea's disqualification.
India, meanwhile, will still bank on old reliables Vishesh Bhriguvanshi and Muin Bek Hafeez as they parade NBA Academy India products Pranav Princeand 7-foot-2 center Aryan.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
