 |
| Jimmy Alapag (right) returns for Gilas in the Asian Games. FIBA (file photo) |
Gilas Pilipinas will make its Asian Games men's basketball competition debut against India in Incheon, South Korea.
The Filipinos, fresh from a stint in the FIBA World Cup in Seville, Spain, will take on the Indians, who pushed them to the limit in the FIBA Asia Cup before escaping with a 70-66 win, in the game set at 1:00 PM (Philippine Time).
India joined the Philippines and Iran in Group E after stunning Kazakhstan, 80-61, in the final qualifying match.
The Philippines, on the other hand, got an automatic berth in the group stages after making the Top 8 in the last Asiad in 2010.
Gilas, however, had to make a huge roster adjustments a few weeks before its campaign after Andray Blatche was declared ineligible due to a three-year residency rule set by the OCA.
The Philippine contingent brought back longtime naturalized player Marcus Douthit to beef up the frontline.
Team Captain Jimmy Alapag will once again get caps for Gilas after Jayson Castro got sidelined due to an injury.
Jared Dillinger was supposed to take Alapag's slot in the initial Asiad team as the latter said that the Worlds will be his last.
Gilas retained Dillinger in the final 12-man roster submitted to the organizing committee.
.JPG)
.jpg)
