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Gilas Pilipinas faces early China test in Asian Games title defense

ByJustpaste.in

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas defends its Asian Games crown in Nagoya, Japan, with an early clash with China.

Adding a new chapter to their rivalry, the Philippines and China face each other for the fourth straight edition of the continental showpiece after being bunched in Group C together with Bahrain and Kazakhstan. 

Their last Asian Games clash proved nothing short of epic as the Filipinos came back from 20 points down behind Justin Brownlee to stun the Chinese before their home crowd, pulling off a dramatic 77-76 win in the semifinals in 2023.

Buoyed by that morale-boosting victory, the Philippines captured its first Asian Games gold medal in over six decades with a convincing 70-60 triumph over Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Jordan in the final. 

While the upcoming Asian Games is officially scheduled to be held from September 19 to October 4, the men’s basketball competition will run from September 10 to 20.

Gilas Pilipinas opens its campaign against Bahrain on September 11, battles Kazakhstan on September 12, before it tangles with China on September 14, with all games to be played at the Aichi International Arena.

Only the top two from each of the three groups and the two best third-placed teams will advance to the quarterfinals.

Host Japan leads Group A that includes South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, while Iran, Jordan, Chinese Taipei, and Qatar make up Group B. 

A retooled squad, distinctly different from the usual team that represents the Philippines in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, will play for head coach Tim Cone and don the national colors in the Asian Games.

With national mainstays from the Japan B. League (Dwight Ramos and AJ Edu) and Korean Basketball League (Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo) expected to miss the Asian Games due to commitments to their mother clubs, Cone will build a rejigged crew from a pool that features PBA standouts.

Brownlee is tipped to once again show the way for the Nationals, hopefully with Bennie Boatwright by his side, as the Philippines looks to become the first team to retain its Asian Games title since China won back-to-back in 2006 and 2010.

On the verge of being naturalized, Boatwright just needs President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to sign the law granting him Filipino citizenship. – Rappler.com

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