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- Gilas Pilipinas opens its title defense in the Asian Games 2026 5×5 men’s basketball against Bahrain.
SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Asian Games 2026 5×5 men’s basketball
September 11, Friday
- 12nn – Gilas Pilipinas vs Bahrain
Gilas faces ‘naturalized’-fueled Bahrain to start Asian Games defense
Gilas Pilipinas men’s team for the Asian Games 2026 basketball 5×5. –SBP PHOTO
Coach Tim Cone kept it short when asked about Gilas Pilipinas’ first opponent in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
“We have researched them the best we can and prepared,” Cone said on the eve (noon Manila time) of Friday’s matchup with Bahrain that will kick off Team Philippines’ campaign in the continental showcase and open the Filipinos’ title-retention bid.
Normally, Gilas would be favored to run roughshod over the Bahraini side that is not among the powerhouse teams in the Asian region.
But Gilas’ awful performance in losing two straight friendly matches against the South Koreans in an exhibition series in Suwon over the weekend, coupled with Bahrain tapping four naturalized players, has raised concerns over the team’s capability of retaining the gold, or at least qualifying for the quarterfinals.
Cone, however, feels his players are up to the task, amid Gilas’ worrisome situation.
“The guys feel ready,” he said.
AJ Edu, Dwight Ramos have faith all-PBA Gilas team will deliver
FILE–Gilas Pilipinas’ Dwight Ramos during the pregame introductions against Australia in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Perth.–FIBA PHOTO
AJ Edu and Dwight Ramos battled from opposite sides on Wednesday night during the preseason feature of the Japan B.League at Mall of Asia Arena.
Forty basketball minutes later, the long-time Gilas Pilipinas teammates were back on the same page. They believe the national squad out to defend the country’s basketball gold in the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, is fit for the task.
Edu, who played sparingly in the Gunma Crane Thunders’ 98-81 domination of Ramos’ Levanga Hokkaido, said he saw firsthand how much heart the Japan-bound squad has.
“Filipinos always show heart, definitely. I’m sure they’ll show heart and represent us well for the Asian Games,” he said, after dropping three points, seven rebounds and four assists in the Gunma win.
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