Gilas seeks morale-booster vs Basque five

MANILA, Philippines - Gilas Pilipinas, reeling from shattering losses to Australia and Ukraine in a pocket tourney in France, tries to boost a sagging confidence and regain momentum as it plays Euzkadi early this morning (Manila time) in the first of its last five tune-up matches for the 2014 FIBA World Cup set Aug. 30-Sept. 14 in six cities of Spain.

The Nationals look to get back on the winning track as they tangle with the Basque Country autonomous team at 8:30 p.m. in Polideportivo J.A. Gasca, San Sebastian.

Euzkadi is the lightest of Gilas Pilipinas’ last five warm-up games for the world meet. The Filipinos will be up against Angola also in San Sebastian on Aug. 21, Mexico in Vittoria on Aug. 23, Dominican Republic in Guadalajara on Aug. 24 and Egypt also in Guadalajara on Aug. 25.

The Basque Country team is not affiliated with FIBA, and is thus just playing friendly matches with FIBA teams. Other Spanish autonomous teams include Aragon, Asturias, Balearic Islands, Cantabria, Castile and Leon, Catalonia and Galicia.

Coach Pablo Laso and his team have had a losing record in their friendlies.

Last year, Euzkadi was swept in a three-game series by Tunisia. In 2012, it dropped two games to Senegal and, in the previous year, was demolished by Argentina, 92-28.

After its friendly with Gilas Pilipinas, Euzkadi takes on Angola.

The Filipinos are expected to regroup and talk things over following a 64-114 blowout by longtime NBA coach Mike Fratello and his Ukraine team at the close of the Antibes basketball tournament Sunday.

Coach Chot Reyes and his team have only 11 days to learn and improve.

“Wish we could’ve ended our France stint on a higher note but that’s exactly why we play these games,” said Gilas assistant coach Josh Reyes on his Twitter account.

“Got to keep learning and keep on playing teams that are much better than us so that we can have a chance to reach their level,” he also tweeted.

For the record, all the teams that Gilas Pilipinas face in WC Group B play are ranked higher than Ukraine in the FIBA world ranking.

Argentine is No. 3 behind the USA and Spain, Greece is No. 5, Croatia No. 16, Puerto Rico 17th and Senegal 41st. The Philippines is at No. 34.