Gilas Pilipinas springs into action on Thursday, June 30, at 3:30 p.m. as it takes on New Zealand in the third window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at the EventFinda Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand.
The team will be bannered by Kiefer Ravena, Dwight Ramos, RJ Abarrientos, Carl Tamayo, SJ Belangel, Geo Chiu, Francis “Lebron” Lopez, William Navarro, Dave Ildefonso, Rhenz Abando, and Kevin Quiambao.
“We are a hundred percent behind the whole Gilas team as they take a step closer to our end goal: to be able to make our country proud. This is also an important window for us as we are preparing to host the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023 with Japan and Indonesia. We wish the team the very best as they show the world the heart and fighting spirit of Filipinos,” Alfredo S. Panlilio, PLDT, and Smart President and CEO, said.
Panlilio also serves as the Chairman of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 local organizing committee, Second Vice President of FIBA Asia Central Board, and President of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
Gilas coach Nenad Vucinic, who coached New Zealand for eight years, expects heavy resistance from the Tall Blacks which handed Chot Reyes’ PBA-reinforced Gilas squad an 88-64 beating last February.
“I believe that New Zealand is going to be very tough. I think they’re going to have their top team for this window. They didn’t have their top team when they were here when they beat us,” said Vucinic in an article released by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
While Vucinic admitted that it feels weird to once again face the squad he coached for a long time, it’s still all business for the Serbian-New Zealand tactician.
“It’s gonna be even weirder now because I’m a head coach for this window. So, it’s difficult but in the end, once the game starts, we’re gonna try to beat them,” Vucinic said.
After New Zealand, Gilas Pilipinas will next face India on July 3 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mall of Asia in Pasay, Metro Manila.
Filipinos can follow and cheer for Gilas Pilipinas through the Smart GigaPlay App. Subscribers can enjoy the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers live free of streaming charges for a limited time. – with a report from Ashley Bercasio – bny
