GILAS Pilipinas seeks to come up with a better performance when it clashes with Chinese Taipei in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers on Thursday at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium.
A disappointed coach Tim Cone said this after Gilas Pilipinas ended its 2nd Doha International Cup campaign with a lone victory in three assignments.
“The Doha experience, it’s disappointing. But we’re hoping that Doha made us better,” said Cone after the team arrived in Taipei in Tuesday.
While in Doha, the nationals fell to Egypt, 55-86, during their early Monday morning clash at the QU Sports and Events Complex.
Before that, Gilas lost to Lebanon, 54-75, following a 74-71 victory over Qatar.
“We didn’t perform as well as we wanted to in Doha. Anytime we’re playing on the world stage, it’s important to win. But the bottom line is that the Doha games were a development camp for us,” Cone.
Gilas has a perfect 4-0 record in the FIBA qualifiers and already earned a spot in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
Against a revamped Chinese Taipei, which has 1-3 win-loss record, Cone wants to be a tough team.
“We can’t afford to rest right now. We just have to keep pushing forward,” added Cone.
The Taiwanese will banner new players, like Mohammad Al Bachir Gadiaga, who plays in the Japan B.League, and naturalized 7-footer Brandon Gilbeck.
Taipei coach Gianluca Tucci is also expected to add Ying Chun Chen, Chien Hao Ma, and Long Mao Ha to the squad.
The last time the two teams clashed was in February last year, when Gilas coasted to a 106-53 victory at home, with Justin Brownlee leading the way with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists.
Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong are at the bottom of Group B behind the Philippines (4-0) and New Zealand (3-1).
So far, the only way for either Chinese Taipei or Hong Kong, China to stay in contention for the Asia Cup proper is by securing third place in the pool.