Gilas opens FIBA World Cup campaign vs Dominican Republic

It’s a big day for Philippine basketball.

Gilas Pilipinas will take on a taller and higher-ranked Dominican Republic when it opens its campaign at the 2023 FIBA World Cup in front of the home crowd at the Philippine Arena on Friday.

The Filipinos and the Dominicans will slug it out at the 8 p.m. match following the encounter of their fellow Group A foes Italy and Angola in the opening salvo at 4 p.m.

Gilas knows it is coming in as the underdog as the Dominican Republic will be bannered by two NBA stars in Minnesota Timberwolves big man Karl Anthony Towns and Golden State Warriors' Lester Quiñones, while Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson is expected to fuel the Philippine side.

Similar to Gilas, Dominican Republic, which ranks no. 23 in the world's men's basketball competition, also figured in a number of tune-up games highlighted by a victory against Canada, which is represented by multiple NBA players like Lu Dort of Oklahoma and Dillon Brooks of Houston.

During that win, Towns shone the brightest with 20 points, six rebounds, and two assists to mark his first game with their national team since 2013.

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes understands that putting the stops on Towns would be a tall task for the Filipinos, but said they aren't looking at chances and odds.

"I've learned in those nine years, especially in this kind of competition, not to think about and not to worry about chances because it doesn't matter who you're playing, your chances are going to be difficult," Reyes said.

"The competition is so tough that you spend time thinking about your chances, it's really not very useful."

Filipino wunderkind Kai Sotto, who stands 7-foot-3 as well, will lead the frontline alongside young big man AJ Edu, veteran center June Mar Fajardo, and team captain Japeth Aguilar.

Also helping Clarkson in the backcourt are Scottie Thompson, RR Pogoy, Dwight Ramos, Rhenz Abando, Jamie Malonzo, CJ Perez, and Kiefer Ravena.

"We'd rather focus on other more productive things. I don't know how to answer that question because for us, we're just focusing on what's in front of us," Reyes added.

"We're just focusing on the things that we can control and I think if we do that, it improves our chances."

Before the game against Dominican Republic, a showcase of Filipino talent will happen as musical acts The Dawn, Ben&Ben, and Asia's Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo are slated to perform in the opening ceremony.

Members of the Philippine team during the 1978 FIBA World Championship, which was hosted by the country then, are also expected to attend the World Cup opener.

Meanwhile, Group D will start their games at the Mall of Asia Arena as Mexico and Montenegro face off each other at 4:45 pm and Egypt and Lithuania go against each other at 8:30 pm.

In Okinawa, Finland and Australia will start their campaign, followed by Germany and Japan. Indonesia, on the other hand, will see the opening games of Latvia and Lebanon, and Canada versus France.

Check this page for updates.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News