Familiar foe, familiar style?….

GILAS Pilipinas will have a chance to settle a score versus two of its’ recent tormentors, New Zealand and Chinese-Taipei, after they’ve been locked in together along with another familiar face, Iraq, in the just concluded draw of lots to determine the final stages leading to the 16-nation FIBA-Asia Cup tournament, to be hosted by Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in August.

The Nationals were actually in Pot 2, before the draw seedings, along with Iran, Lebanon and China, while the Kiwis in Pot 1, along with the host, defending champion Australia and Japan.The Taiwanese were in Pot 3, with Jordan, South Korea and newcomer Syria. The Iraqis were in Pot 4 with two newcomers India and Guam. Qatar also in the same company.

After the four stage qualifying windows, teams which topped their respective qualifying stages, where distributed in four separate groups, with Australia leads in Group A. Also drawn in with the Aussie are the Qataris, the Koreans and the Lebanese. Group B headed by the Japanese, the Iranians, Syrians, and the Guamanians.

Group C is lead by the Chinese mainlanders, Jordanians, Saudis and Indians (not the American Indian tribes). And bringing up rear Group D toped by the Kiwis, Gilas, Taiwanese and the Iraquis. The last time Gilas tangled with Iraq was during the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, the nationals won, 84-68.

For SBP president Al Panlilio, though Gilas is in a not so easy group, but remained confident that the nationals will come up a better plan and better preparations since they’re already know two of three teams in their group and the team will be ready.

Though Gilas Pilipinas managed to wrap-up four straight victories during first four qualifying windows, with impressive wins over the Taiwanese, 106-53, over the Kiwis, 93-89, and a back to back triumphs over Hong Kong,, 93-54 and 94-64. After losing the 7-3 Kai Sotto to injury, he sustained in the Japan B-League, the Nationals run-smack in defeat into the avenging hands of the Kiwis, 87-70, and the Taiwanese, 91-84. in the last two windows.

Panlilio’s sentiment was likewise echoed by Gilas head mentor Tim Cone, saying that their gourpings, he can’t wait to be backed with Gilas and get to work. All Filipino first, but looking forward to Asia Cup in August, we’ll be ready, he added.

Both Panlilio and Cone are optimistic in their views with regard to Gilas chances, but there’s a thing hanging in the balance despite the recent report to Justine Brownlee’s successful operation of his broken tight thumb. His drug-test issue, wherein the 36-year old confirmed positive of a extract substance found in a cannabis, but there’s still no word yet from the world governing, whether there wil be sanction or not as of the moment.

The SBP hierarchy has set up a sort of “second protocol” in case there will be a sanction, is ready to tap the services of longtimeb resident and naturalized Ange Koume (6-11) as Sotto’s replacement, while Utah Jazz spitfire Jordan Clarkson (6-6), who expressed his willingness to suit-up for Gilas under Cone. Clarkson twice saw action for the nationals during the 2016 Asian Games in Jaakarta, Indonesia and the 2023 FIBA World Cup held in Manila.

Aside the draw of seedings, FIBA has also released the play dates of the tournament, with Gilas-Pilipinas plays Chinese-Taipei on Aug.6, as its’ first match. Then a day of rest, takes on the Kiwis on Aug.8 before winding up the Group D phase as it collide with Iraq Aug.10.

Gilas’ preparation for the FIBA Asia Cup start two days after the shorten PBA Philippine Cup which is tentatively to end in the couple of weeks to give for the nationals training giving at least two and half month of training before flying to Saudi Arabia on Aug. 3.