Gilas Pilipinas eyeing two tune-up games before FIBA Asia Cup

May 20 ------ THERE will most likely be one tune-up game in Manila and possibility one in Jeddah for Gilas Pilipinas before it plunges into action in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025. Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy said Gilas preparations are being plotted for the Asia Cup in coordination with head coach Tim Cone which will include an exhibition game that will be opened for the team’s fans. 

The opponent of Gilas for that tune-up match in Manila is still being determined. “We will probably play an exhibition game here para na ring send-off para sa fans,” said Dy in a recent interview during the SBP National Congress. “It would be nice for the fans to see Gilas play. We don’t know who we are competing against.” 

Gilas will likely play another tune-up game against one of the teams seeing action in the FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah. “It’s going to be one tune-up game for us and then when we get to Jeddah, we will probably play one of the teams,” said Dy. 

The SBP executive director said the Gilas preparations will begin after the conclusion of the PBA Philippine Cup. “I believe Game 7 of the PBA, their last game as of today is July 27. So from July 27 to August 5 is the window of Coach Tim to prepare. He has decided not to compete in friendly tournaments outside of the country. We will be training here as a team. And then, we will probably leave around August 1 or 2 to acclimatize ourselves in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and be better prepared,” said Dy. 

Recently, Cone said he had hope to get more practice time together with Gilas for the FIBA Asia Cup. Dy said she understands Cone’s sentiments, but also said it was this same reason why Cone decided to keep a core team together for a lengthy period. “I think kahit sino namang coach would want that. But Coach Tim is very aware of the situation that we are in that’s why he suggested going through windows since last year kasi nagko-compile na ‘yung kanilang progress. “We are not like back to zero on July 27. It’s the same group of guys. They’ve been together. It’s reintroducing themselves to each other. Hopefully, it plays out well,” said Dy. 

Source: spin.ph