FIBA ASIA CUP QUALIFIERS

Gilas looks to build on breakthrough win vs Korea in clash against Indonesia

Gilas Pilipinas may already be assured of a spot in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup in August but the nationals do not plan to sit on their laurels.

The Filipinos will tackle Indonesia tonight at 6 p.m. with the same—or a lot more—intensity and hunger in their bid to keep an immaculate record in Group A.

Dwight Ramos, whose gritty performance steered the Philippines' dramatic victory over South Korea last Wednesday, said that they will ramp up their preparation against an Indonesian squad led by a familiar face in Rajko Toroman.

"We are all looking  for improvement and I know we won the game today but I still think that everyone is thinking about how to improve and the next game," said Ramos following an 81-78 triumph of the Koreans.

"I'm super excited for our team. We have all young guys, they’re all excited to be here and we’re just ready to work every opportunity we get and I think everyone has the right attitude going into the games and practices."

Meanwhile, Toroman said they will not go down without a fight against a gutsy Filipino side.

Toroman has seen the Gilas program bloom from his stint back in 2009 through 2011 where he deployed the same philosophy — gather young stars and put together an all-cadet team.

His familiarity with Philippine basketball could play a big factor in tonight's game and the Serbian mentor said he'll push the Filipinos to their limits.

"We'll try to push them to the limit. That is our goal. I think they're the favorites, they're better than us," he said.

"We will do everything to give them a hard time."

The much-awaited matchup would be that of Angelo Kouame and Lester Prosper, both of whom are the naturalized reinforcements for the Philippines and Indonesia, respectively.

"Now that they have Kai Sotto and Kouame, they are looking like a very good team."

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News