HONG KONG – Gilas Pilipinas will play two friendlies against the South Korean national team prior to leaving for Nagoya, Japan for the 20th Asian Games.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy bared that has been the plan so far for the men’s team’s preparation for its defense of the gold medal in the quadrennial showcase.
She said the team leaves for Korea on Sept 3 following more than a two-week training in the country shortly after the PBA Governors’ Cup take a break starting on August 15.
READ: Gilas Pilipinas slips three places to No. 39 in FIBA Men Rankings
“We leave for Korea on September 3 because we will be playing friendlies against the Korean national team on the 4th and 6th,” said the SBP executive at the sidelines of the championship game between Cebu and Macau in the Hustle 5: EASL Future Champions.
“Tapos on the 7th, diretso na tayo sa Asian Games.”
Unlike in the past when football usually kicks off hostilities in the meet, this time basketball ushers action in the event that makes a return in Japan since Hiroshima last hosted it during the 1994 edition.
“Basketball in the Asian Games will start earlier than the opening ceremony itself. So September 10 to 20 ang men’s basketball,” said Dy.
The Asiad formally opens on Sept. 19.
“Diretso tayo halos isang buwan or even more than a month na magkakasama yung mga players natin,” Dy said.
Prior to the Asiad, Gilas will see action in the second round of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers from August 28 to 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Philippines takes on Jordan on the 28th and Iran on the 30th.
Gilas is currently in fifth place in Group E at 2-4 in a tie with Syria.
Undefeated Australia is on top of the bracket with a 6-0 slate followed by Iran and Jordan, both at 5-1, and then New Zealand at 4-2.
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.
