The Gilas Pilipinas sets out for their second win of the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup today when they tangle with yet another regional rival, Singapore, at the Wuhan Sports Center in Wuhan, China.
The Nationals debuted in this tournament in style the other day by outclassing the gritty Chinese Taipei, 78-64.
The Gilas dominated the first half and led by as much as 16 before squandering it away to a Chinese Taipei side that was missing most of its premier players.
Fortunately, Gilas holdover Gary David and newcomer Paul Lee swished several three-pointers in the fourth canto that ignited their push towards the win.
Lee ended up with 18 points in his first game donning the national colors while David added 16. Today, they take on a Singapore squad that gave the Gilas Cadets fits during the Southeast Asian Games in December of last year.
In that game, Singapore led by 10 before the Cadet team figured it all out to win going away, 88-75.
Current Gilas additions Garvo Lanete and Kevin Alas were part of that victorious team that eventually won the gold in the biennial competition.
A win today would give the Gilas the momentum that they need heading to their crucial match against a Jordan team that is being coached by a familiar face, head coach Rajko Toroman, a pioneer of the Gilas program.
Jordan also took off to a hot start after it pulled off an easy 70-53 win over Singapore yesterday.
Rasheim Wright went six-for-10 from the field to lead the Jordanians with 14 points, while Ahmad Alhamarsheh posted 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Powerhouse Iran likewise had an easy outing after it dumped Indonesia, 77-47./ With Reports from Editorial Assistant Calvin D. Cordova