The Philippines' Gilas Pilipinas team is set to face off against New Zealand in a crucial game at the Spark Arena in Auckland on Friday, with a ticket to the second round of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers already secured.
However, the team's coach, Tim Cone, is emphasizing the importance of these next two games, warning that if they do not win one of them, they will have a very small margin of error in the next round.
The Nationals will be facing a tough slate in Round 2, including unbeaten Jordan and Iraq, and coach Cone is urging his team to adopt a "Game 7" mentality in their approach.
After a tune-up game in which they played with 10 men, Gilas Pilipinas will be at full strength for the rematch, with Justin Brownlee recharged and Mike Phillips back in the line-up after an ankle injury.
The Pinoy dribblers are preparing for the rugged and aggressive plays of the Kiwis, who dealt them a 66-69 loss in their previous meeting in Pasay City.
The key for Gilas Pilipinas will be executing through the physicality of the New Zealand team, according to coach Cone, who is looking to snap a three-game losing streak against the Tall Blacks.
The game on Friday is set to be a sold-out event, with the Philippines' hopes of a win against New Zealand hanging in the balance.
After the game in Auckland, Gilas Pilipinas will head to Perth to face off against Australia on July 6, in a crucial match that will determine their chances of advancing to the next round.
