MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas passed its final test ahead of the FIBA Asia Cup hostilities, beating old rival Jordan, 75-61, in a closed-door tuneup at the Al Ahli Sports Club in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Saturday night (early Sunday Manila time).
The Nationals seized a 40-29 tear after two quarters then leaned on the clutch three-point shooting of Scottie Thompson, Calvin Oftana, Dwight Ramos and Kevin Quiambao in the fourth to seal the deal.
Further details of the pre-tournament match, which marked the two sides’ first since the Philippines drubbed Jordan, 70-60, for the Asian Games gold medal in Hangzhou, China in 2023, were not disclosed.
But one thing’s certain, the disposal of the Jordanians that followed Gilas’ 103-98 come-from-behind victory over the Macau Black Bears last Monday back in Manila will be helpful in getting the team ready for the Aug. 5 to 17 Asia Cup.
“Well, I’m just looking for a measurement of where we are in terms of preparedness. So I think that is really the key, to see how prepared we are,” Gilas coach Tim Cone said of the two friendlies.
“I don’t think we’re there yet, but I think these games will go a long way in helping us where we want to get to,” he added.
Cone’s 12-man crew will now spend the next couple of days finetuning its plans against its first assignment in Group D, Chinese-Taipei, on Tuesday night at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (early Wednesday Manila time).
After the Taiwanese, the Nationals will go up against another familiar opponent, New Zealand, on Thursday, before wrapping up group play against Iraq on Saturday.
Initial objective is to qualify for the quarterfinals either directly as group topnotcher or via the playoff matches for the second and third-ranked squads after the group stage.