Gilas Pilipinas battles Macau Black Bears in tuneup for FIBA Asia Cup

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The friendly match allows fans to send off Gilas Pilipinas before the team flies to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for the FIBA Asia Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas tangles with the Macau Black Bears in a tuneup game on July 28 at the Araneta Coliseum as part of its preparations for the FIBA Asia Cup.

The friendly match allows fans to send off the Nationals before they fly to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for the continental showpiece, where the Philippines will face New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, and Iraq in Group D.

“Playing tuneup games before Gilas dives into the FIBA Asia Cup will only help the team out,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio. 

The Black Bears last competed in The Asian Tournament, where they topped the Cebu leg in June.

Macao standouts in that title run include Omari Peek-Green, Cole Micek, and Seny N’Diaye.

“They are really strong. They’ve got good imports. It could be a very interesting friendly for us,” said Gilas head coach Tim Cone.

Gilas needs to finish at the top of its group to secure an outright quarterfinal berth, with the No. 2 and No. 3 teams battling for their top eight spots in the crossover playoffs.

Missing the Asia Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 15 years in the 2022 edition, the Philippines hopes to do better this time with naturalized star Justin Brownlee leading the way. – Rappler.com