Gilas Pilipinas is set to leave for Spain today to begin a series of tune-up matches in preparation for the FIBA World Cup slated later this month in China.
The Nationals are slated to face Ivory Coast and Congo in a pair of scrimmages in Guadalajara before heading to Malaga to play in a pocket tournament participated by the two aforementioned African nations and host Spain.
Four players from the 19-man pool, however, will be left behind in Manila due to their teams’ entry in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
They are TNT KaTropa’s Roger Pogoy and Troy Rosario and San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo and Christian Standhardinger.
Gilas is hoping to gain significant progress during the Spain trip before heading to the Chinese city of Foshan to face Serbia, Italy and Angola in Group D of the World Cup.
Coach Yeng Guiao’s side has been dealing with unfamiliarity since training began last June while playing tune-ups against Jones Cup champion Mighty Sports and NLEX.
Gilas began its daily practices last Monday, with Guiao even bringing along his NLEX players to help the team’s preparation.
Team manager Gabby Cui said Gilas will take a flight bound for Madrid on Sunday before going to Guadalajera to play Ivory Coast, bracketed in Group A of the World Cup, and Congo.
Gilas plays Congo in the knockout style pocket tournament in Malaga on Aug. 9 at the Palacio de Deportes José María Martín Carpena. The winner advances to face either host Spain or Ivory Coast in the Final. (JONAS TERRADO)
