MANILA, Philippines – The country's national men's basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, is now ready to face the world as they open their 2019 FIBA World Cup campaign against Italy tonight, August 31 in Foshan, China.
Coach Yeng Guiao is optimistic his squad (ranked 31st in the world) can pull an upset to claim at least two wins in Group D first round tournament - against powerhouse team Italy (ranked 13th) and Angola (39th). Guiao is realistic it's almost impossible for them to beat Serbia (4th).
This will be the first meeting of Gilas Pilipinas and Italian troops in the World Cup in 41 years.
SEE ALSO: Gilas Pilipinas in FIBA World Cup 2019: schedule, live stream, game result
Gilas skipper Gabe Norwood assured: "We want to go out and prove to the world that we belong."
Naturalized player Andray Blatche added: "We're the underdogs but it's like it's okay. It's great to shock people. Our main focus is to get two wins. Last time we got one, this time get two wins and advance."
The official 12-man roster of Gilas Pilipinas also includes PBA rookies CJ Perez and Robert Bolick, June Mar Fajardo, Paul Lee, Japeth Aguilar, Roger Pogoy, Mark Barroca, Raymund Almazan, Troy Rosario, and Kiefer Ravena.
Meanwhile, the Italian squad featured NBA players in 6-10 Danilo Galinari, 6-5 Marco Belinelli and 6-8 Gigi Datome.
Game time is at 7:30 pm at the Foshan International Sports and Cultural Arena.
UPDATE: Italy defeats Philippines, 108-62.
LIVE STREAM: Philippines vs. Italy | 1st Round | FIBA World Cup 2019 (video courtesy of ESPN5.com. / ESPN5 on YouTube)
LIVE UPDATES
Follow Gilas Pilipinas' journey in the 2019 FIBA World Cup through social media channels of ESPN5, the official broadcast partner of FIBA World Cup in the Philippines.
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Good luck and Laban Pilipinas!
— The Summit Express
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| The Philippine Men's National Basketball Team opens their 2019 FIBA World Cup campaign against powerhouse Italian squad. |
Coach Yeng Guiao is optimistic his squad (ranked 31st in the world) can pull an upset to claim at least two wins in Group D first round tournament - against powerhouse team Italy (ranked 13th) and Angola (39th). Guiao is realistic it's almost impossible for them to beat Serbia (4th).
This will be the first meeting of Gilas Pilipinas and Italian troops in the World Cup in 41 years.
SEE ALSO: Gilas Pilipinas in FIBA World Cup 2019: schedule, live stream, game result
Gilas skipper Gabe Norwood assured: "We want to go out and prove to the world that we belong."
Naturalized player Andray Blatche added: "We're the underdogs but it's like it's okay. It's great to shock people. Our main focus is to get two wins. Last time we got one, this time get two wins and advance."
The official 12-man roster of Gilas Pilipinas also includes PBA rookies CJ Perez and Robert Bolick, June Mar Fajardo, Paul Lee, Japeth Aguilar, Roger Pogoy, Mark Barroca, Raymund Almazan, Troy Rosario, and Kiefer Ravena.
Meanwhile, the Italian squad featured NBA players in 6-10 Danilo Galinari, 6-5 Marco Belinelli and 6-8 Gigi Datome.
Game time is at 7:30 pm at the Foshan International Sports and Cultural Arena.
UPDATE: Italy defeats Philippines, 108-62.
LIVE STREAM: Philippines vs. Italy | 1st Round | FIBA World Cup 2019 (video courtesy of ESPN5.com. / ESPN5 on YouTube)
LIVE UPDATES
Follow Gilas Pilipinas' journey in the 2019 FIBA World Cup through social media channels of ESPN5, the official broadcast partner of FIBA World Cup in the Philippines.
Good luck and Laban Pilipinas!
— The Summit Express
