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| Fadi Ibrahim and Jordan will face Gilas in a pre-FIBA Asia Cup friendly in Jeddah. FIBA (file photo) |
MAKATI--Gilas Pilipinas got an extra tune-up game for its preparation for the FIBA Asia Cup.
Coach Tim Cone revealed on Thursday night that Jordan agreed to play Gilas in a friendly once both teams arrive in Jeddah.
"Jordan has asked us for a friendly on Aug. 2 when we arrive in Jeddah," Cone said during the reveal of Gilas' new official jerseys made by sports apparel giant Adidas at Monarch Manila.
Gilas will leave for Jeddah on July 30, which means the national team will have one day of rest after its already scheduled tune-up game against TAT and EASL contenders Macau Black Bears at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Fadi Ibrahim will likely lead the local charge for Jordan, averaging 14.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game during the qualifying phase.
While the team is leaning toward bringing in Dar Tucker as its naturalized player, Jordan, if it strikes an agreement with TNT, could bring back Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, the breakout star for the national team in 2023, highlighted by a stellar performance in the FIBA World Cup and a silver medal in the Asian Games.
Hollis-Jefferson played the first two games of Jordan's ACQ campaign, averaging 13.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.0 block per outing.
The six-foot-six winger kept his focus in the Tropang 5G's campaign in the two import-spiced conferences of the soon-to-end PBA season, paving the way for Jordan to bring back Tucker.
Even if the all-Filipino Philippine Cup is ongoing with TNT in the finals against San Miguel for a chance to complete the PBA Season 49 grand slam, Hollis-Jefferson, as part of his contract extension obligations, is currently holding a series of basketball clinics across the country.
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