Gilas too classy for Congo in tune-up match in Spain
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Wed, 07 Aug 2019 05:05:37 +0000
GILAS Pilipinas rolled to a 102-80 victory over Congo Tuesday night (early Wednesday Manila time) to begin the first of two tune-up matches in Guadalajara, Spain.
ESPN5 reported that naturalized player Andray Blatche scored 25 points, Japeth Aguilar had 22 and Mark Barroca added 16 in the win held closed-doors at the Palacio Multiusos de Guadalajara.
Gilas Pilipinas coach Yeng Guiao discusses a play with national team players including naturalized Andray Blatche during a practice session at the Meralco gym in Quezon City. (Waylon Galvez)
The result should boost the morale of the national team coached by Yeng Guiao after having only three tune-ups were held in the first two months of training in Manila.
Gilas wraps up its Guadalajara sojourn with an exhibition opposite Ivory Coast on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time).
Ivory Coast is also using the tune-up as preparation for the World Cup after finishing third in Group F of the African Qualifiers with a 7-5 record.
The Ivorians were drawn in Group A alongside host China, Venezuela and Poland.
Gilas leaves for Malaga the following day to compete in a four-team pocket tournament where they’ll face Congo for the second time.
The winner advances to the final against either host Spain or Ivory Coast.
Prior to the Congo match, Gilas held a morning practice as part of its three-day itinerary in the city located 60 kilometers from the Spanish capital of Madrid. (JONAS TERRADO)