A club team that once beat the national team of China will try to warm up Gilas Pilipinas for its coming campaign in the FIBA Asia Cup next month.
The Macau Black Bears are set to play the Filipinos in a tune-up match on July 28 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum which also serves as their sendoff prior to leaving for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Black Bears currently compete in the East Asia Super League and The Asian Tournament.
But the team formerly known as the Chong Son Kung Fu which played in the ASEAN Basketball League previously, made heads turn last year when it defeated the Chinese national squad in a friendly, 83-78, in Kushan, China.
"They beat the Chinese national team. They are really strong. They've got good imports. It could be a very interesting friendly for us," admitted coach Tim Cone
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Gilas also played a friendly with the Taiwan Mustangs last year prior to leaving for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, Latvia. The nationals won the match, 74-64, at the Philsports Arena.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Al S. Panlilo said the tune up against the Black Bears should be a good preparation for Gilas' bid in the Asia Cup.
"Playing tune up games before Gilas dives into the FIBA Asia Cup will only help the team out," said Panlilio.
"While the team gets good competition, it's also an opportunity for our Gilas fans to band together and send their team off before they fly out to Saudi Arabia. It's a short preparation window as many of our players are in the semifinals of the Philippine Cup, which was another reason why the SBP wanted Gilas to have a tune up game here."
Gilas will leave for Jeddah either on July 31 or August 1.
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The Philippines is in Group D with New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, and Iraq.(RG)