Gilas Pilipinas is gearing up for a tough clash against an undefeated Chinese squad as group stage action intensifies at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
Head coach Tim Cone expressed confidence in the Philippine men’s basketball team despite the steep challenge awaiting them in their Group C encounter on Monday, September 14, at the Aichi International Arena.
”We know we have an uphill climb but we are not daunted by it, we are not afraid of it and we are going to meet it head on and see what we can do,” Cone said.
China enters the contest as the heavy favorite, having dominated Kazakhstan and Bahrain by an average margin of 42 points. Cone highlighted China’s interior presence and perimeter skill as primary concerns for the Philippine defense.
“We know they have great size and they have great guard play and they’re gonna pose a lot of defense problems for us in terms of inside. They have a really good inside outside game,” Cone noted.
To stay competitive against the Asian powerhouse, Cone stressed the need for sharp execution, board control, and solid defensive stops.
“But we feel we can get out there and make stops against them and try to control the rebound and get out and do what we do. Hopefully our guys show up and make shots but they are also a very good defensive team,” he added.
The Nationals enter the match following an impressive 109-78 win over Kazakhstan, powered by a 16-three-pointer barrage led by Jerrick Ahanmisi, Robert Bolick, and Sedrick Barefield.
Frontcourt players Zavier Lucero, Brandon Bates, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser face a demanding assignment in neutralizing 7-foot-3 center Yu Jiahao. Meanwhile, the backcourt must contain playmakers Pang Zhelin and Liao Sanning to keep pace.
China also carries extra motivation into the fixture, seeking payback after the Philippines knocked them out in the semifinal round of the previous Asian Games.