Gilas Pilipinas out to stay alive in World Cup with crucial clash vs Italy

Two major things are at stake when Gilas Pilipinas collides with powerhouse Italy on Tuesday at 8 p.m. in Group A action of the 2023 FIBA World Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Filipinos, featuring a winless 0-2 slate, will take on Italy (1-1) in a bid to stay alive in the global cagefest as a victory with a margin of 13 points or more will mean the Philippines will advance to the second round.

A loss, however, will end the country's campaign and will be relegated to the classification round.

READ MORE | How Gilas Pilipinas can advance to the 2nd round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup

Gilas is also putting its Olympics hopes at stake as emerging victorious against the Azzurri can also help their goal of finishing as the top Asian team for a 2023 Paris Games berth, if Japan would also lose to Australia today at 7:10 p.m.

Currently, the Akatsuki is the lone Asian squad that has nailed a single victory, putting themselves atop the race.

However, everything won't be easy as Italy was the same team that defeated the Philippines by 46 points during their 2019 World Cup meeting.

READ MORE | FIBA World Cup Preview: A Serbian correspondent breaks down Gilas Pilipinas vs Italy

While the tasks at hand are an uphill climb, Gilas head coach Chot Reyes stressed they ought to focus on what they can control--regroup, prepare, and just play their best against world no. 10 Italy.

"We focus on what’s within our hands. There’s a game to be played on Tuesday and we’re to come out and prepare as  best as we can to play a top 10 team, Italy," Reyes said.

"It’s all we can do right now. Whatever is happening to other teams is not within our control."

READ MORE | Chot Reyes says Gilas' Olympics hopes 'still alive' despite 0-2 FIBA World Cup slate

Italian forward Luigi Datome is also looking forward to facing the Philippines which is bannered by NBA star Jordan Clarkson, who will face his Utah Jazz teammate Simone Fontecchio.

"Of course, the Philippines, like the Dominican Republic, has a single great player and all around them-- there's a good team," Datome said.

"For sure, it's very important to limit this player. But you cannot stop them, they're so good, you have to limit them with teamwork and pay attention to the others because they're all good players."

—JKC, GMA Integrated News