Nationals rap Ulsan in WCQ buildup

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas Men scored an 81-76 victory over Korean club Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus as it stepped up its buildup for the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers with a tuneup match yesterday.

But more than getting the winning result sans Justin Brownlee, the Nationals saw the value of the 40-minute match at the San Miguel Corp. Gym in Pasig City in terms of the opportunity to gauge themselves and work on a lot of things.

Re-integrate Kai Sotto, who is back after a nearly two-year absence. Allow the new faces like Justin Arana to get their feet wet. Test combinations and schemes in a game-time situation.

“We won a close game. We didn’t play well but the game gave us a good indication of where we are and how far we have to go to get ready,” coach Tim Cone said in a message to The STAR.

The Nationals have a week to get themselves ready.

And they really need to be at their best for the business at hand, first against old rival Jordan on Aug. 28, then against Iran, another Middle East heavyweight, two days later.

They have to take care of business in these home outings at the MOA Arena if they want to prop up their bid in the race for the tickets to next year’s world meet.

Heading into the second round of the WCQ, Cone’s troop’s run fifth in Group E with eight points on a 2-4 win-loss card – four markers off unbeaten Australia (12 points), three off Iran and Jordan (11 on 5-1s) and two adrift New Zealand (10 on 4-2) while ahead of Syria (eight points on 2-4) on tiebreak.

The objective is to finish Top 3 of the group or be the best-placed fourth placer at the end of Round 2 to clinch a return trip to the global showcase.

A grudge match between Gilas and Jordan looms as they headline next Friday’s triple-header at 8:30 p.m. following the Iran-NZ tiff at 2 p.m. and the Syria-Australia duel at 5 p.m.

Since 2022, the Philippines and Jordan have fought on even terms over four matches.

They split their showdowns back in the second round of the qualifiers for the 2023 WC. The Filipinos, then reinforced by Ange Kouame, posted a 74-66 win in Amman in November 2022 then the Jordanians exacted revenge in their return match in Bocaue in February 2023, 91-90, spoiling the 41-point explosion of Brownlee.