Gilas Pilipinas to play Macau Black Bears in tuneup match ahead of FIBA Asia Cup

Gilas Pilipinas will get to test its mettle before flying to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for the FIBA Asia Cup as the national team is set to face the Macau Black Bears in a friendly game on July 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The tuneup game will serve as Gilas' last match before taking on several powerhouse teams in the continental tilt.

“Playing tuneup games before Gilas dives into the FIBA Asia Cup will only help the team out,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio.

“While the team gets good competition, it’s also an opportunity for our Gilas fans to band together and send their team off before they fly out to Saudi Arabia. It’s a short preparation window as many of our players saw action in the semifinals of the Philippine Cup, which was another reason why the SBP wanted Gilas to have a tuneup game here.”

Led by head coach Garrett Kelly, the Black Bears have wealthy experiences playing in the international stage, competing in East Asia Super League and in The Asian Tournament.

Its core is bannered by locals from Macau, mixed heritage players, and imports.

Against them, Gilas head coach Tim Cone is expected to field a full-force lineup to further gear up for the Asia Cup.

“They beat the Chinese national team. They are really strong. They’ve got good imports. It could be a very interesting friendly for us,” Cone said of Macau's  83-78 win last July.

Gilas is grouped with New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, and Iraq in the Asia Cup slated from August 5 to 17.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News