CALL it the first of several big tests.
Gilas Pilipinas takes on Tí¼rkiye today in Istanbul in the first game of two tune-up matches before the Nationals do battle in the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament from July 2 to 7 in Latvia.
The Philippine five will also tangle with Poland on Sunday, June 30, in Sosnowiece.
Coach Tim Cone is hoping his charges’ final friendlies against top European foes would further toughen them up for a seemingly mission impossible in Riga.
“Poland is No. 15 in the world so they’ll give us a real good feeling and Turkey is No. 24 but they are much better with their NBA guys,” Cone said. “I don’t know if their NBA guys are going to show up because they are not preparing for the OQT.
“Poland is preparing for the OQT in Valencia, but Turkey is preparing for the Euro qualifiers. They may have their full team,” he added.
Gilas got a much-needed shot in the arm when it carved out a hard-earned 74-64 victory over the Taiwan Mustangs in an exhibition tiff last Monday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
“We need it to be hard. We didn’t want it to be easy,” Cone said after his squad’s win. “If it’s easy, it’s not gonna help us.
“This was hard, and we were really happy it was hard.”
Naturalized star Justin Brownlee leads an 11-man Gilas quintet for the meet along with reigning seven-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, Kai Sotto, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, CJ Perez, Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, and Kevin Quiambao.
Erstwhile alternates Japeth Aguilar and Mason Amos have replaced injured big man AJ Edu, who will miss the OQT due to nagging knee issues, and high-flying forward Jamie Malonzo, who is on rehab after going surgery on his left calf.
Former pro league MVP Scottie Thompson was also ruled out of the OQT due to a back injury.
Ranked 37th in the world, Gilas must finish in the top two of its group that includes Georgia and Latvia to reach the crossover semifinals against the top two of Group B, which has No. 12 Brazil, No. 17 Montenegro, and No. 67 Cameroon.
The winners of the crossover semis will clash for the lone slot in the French capital.
Cone admitted they have their work cut out for them but are unfazed.
