Gilas Pilipinas managed to scrape past Ulsan Hyundai Mobis, 81-76, during their tuneup game on Thursday at the San Miguel Corp. practice facility in Pasig City.
National coach Tim Cone, however, is far from satisfied, noting how much the game revealed what the team needs to work on and improve as the Filipinos prepare against Jordan and Iran.
“We won a close game. We didn't play well, but the game gave us a good indication of where we are and how far we have to go to get ready,” Cone told the Manila Times after the game.
Gilas faces Jordan on Aug. 28, followed by Iran on the 30th in the second round of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The pair of home games will ve critical for Gilas, which has lost its last four games during the first round of the Asian Qualifiers.
The four straight losses came at the hands of New Zealand and Australia in a pair of home and away games.
The Philippines opened the first round with back-to-back blowout wins against Guam.
Ulsan Mobis is also in Manila to play tuneup matches as it prepares for the upcoming Korean Basketball League season.
Barangay Ginebra and Gilas Pilipinas guard RJ Abarrientos played for Ulsan Mobis in the 2023 KBL season where he was named Rookie of the Year.
