The tune-up match between Gilas Pilipinas and Team Dragon (China) on Wednesday will be treated as a real game.
Table officials and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas referees who worked during the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers last week will be on hand for the game that is scheduled to tip-off at 4:30 PM.
The game though will not be broadcasted anywhere.
Gilas head coach Tab Baldwin is preparing for the game very seriously.
In fact, he even called for a film session Tuesday evening to scout the 14 that China head coach Du Feng will be fielding. These are Zhou Qi, Hu Mingxuan, Zhao Jiwei, Wu Qian, Xu Jie, Zhang Zhenlin, Lu Wenbo, Zhao Yanhao, Wang Shaojie, Shen Zijie, Zhu Mingzhen, and Liu Chuanxing.
Gilas will field Dwight Ramos, Angelo Kouame, Justine Baltazar, Kai Sotto, SJ Belangel, RJ Abarrientos, Isaac Go, William Navarro, Mike Nieto, Geo Chiu, and Jordan Heading. Lebron Lopez can plug in as the 12th man depending on the doctor’s advice on Carl Tamayo.
The Philippine contingent leaves on Thursday for Belgrade. They will take on Serbia and the Dominican Republic in the group stages.
China, which leaves on Friday, takes on Canada and Greece in the Victoria OQT.
