Gilas Pilipinas is pouring in all its heart in the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon.
The Nationals have just started their campaign in the prestige tournament hoping for the best.
Right off the bat, they are already facing one of the stiffest test of the tournament as they are playing perennial powerhouse China, as of this report, in its opening assignment in Group B play.
The top three teams will advance to the next phase.
This is an anticipated battle as these two teams faced off in the finals of the tournament’s 2015 edition with China, the host country then, taking the cup with a 78-67 victory in the finale.
Along with those two teams, Qatar and Iraq are the others in the group.
There is a big hurdle that the Nationals must overcome though — lack of ceiling.
The absence of the two big men mainstays June Mar Fajardo and Andray Blatche is bound to affect the team but National coach Chot Reyes remains optimistic.
Gilas’ trademark heart will certainly be in full display despite the obstacles according to the veteran international tactician.
“What we lack in height, we will offset with our big hearts,” said Reyes.
The absence of those two left the squad with only Filipino-German big Christian Standhardinger and Raymund Almazan as the team’s legit presence down low.
It will certainly not be easy but still, Gilas is bound to fight to the best of its abilities in its quest for glory.
Also making it to the roster are Jayson Castro, Terrence Bill Romeo, Jiovani Jalalon, Roger Pogoy, Matthew Wright, Gabe Norwood, Calvin Abueva, Japeth Aguilar and Carl Bryan Cruz.
