Are you ready to catch the FIBA Basketball World Cup fever?
But before that, Gilas Pilipinas is expected to have its hands full as it takes on Iran in the 2023 Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament in Guangdong, China, on Thursday.
The members of the Philippine team are expected to play their hearts out as they compete without Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson and big man Kai Sotto.
Also absent from the China tournament is Scottie Thompson, who is still nursing an injury.
Meanwhile, Iran’s seven-foot-two veteran slotman Hamed Haddadi, 38, recently underwent foot surgery after rupturing his Achilles tendon.
The Iranians defeated the Filipinos in the 2019 FIBA World Cup to claim the lone Asian spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The Philippines will be led by veteran big men June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar.
The 6-foot-10 Fajardo and Aguilar, 6’9, are the most experienced players in the squad, having been part of the 2014 and 2019 editions of the FIBA World Cup.
They were part of the team that beat Senegal 81-79 in overtime in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Seville, Spain.
It marked Gilas’ first win on the world stage in four decades.
On Friday, the Philippines will again face Senegal.
Gilas Pilipinas is expected to learn from this tournament.
How to watch live
Meanwhile, the Philippines, which is in Group A in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, faces the Dominican Republic on opening night on August 25 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
They will face Angola on August 27 before wrapping up the first round of the group phase against Italy on August 29. Both games will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Mall of Asia Arena will also host several games involving other participating countries.
Tickets can be bought at Smart Stores located at SM and Robinsons Malls.
Single game tickets are now available on Ticketnet and SM Tickets.
Japan and Indonesia are also co-hosting this year’s tournament, which will run from August 25 to September 10.
Excited about Gilas games? Tell us who your favorite player is in the comments.
