Gilas Pilipinas to play Congo, Ivory Coast behind closed doors

Gilas Pilipinas continues to rev up its preparation for the upcoming 2019 FIBA World Cup as they are set to play two exhibition games against FIBA AfroBasket sides Congo and Ivory Coast in Spain this week.

Included in the pool that travelled to Europe are Andray Blatche, Japeth Aguilar, Poy Erram, Beau Belga, Gabe Norwood, Robert Bolick, CJ Perez, Matthew Wright, Kiefer Ravena, Paul Lee, and Mark Barroca.

Raymond Almazan was unable to join the training camp after getting denied a visa in spite of several appeals.

The no. 82-ranked Congo is led by Christian Eyenga, who’s had brief stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.

Ivory Coast, on the other hand, is ranked no. 64 so far in the FIBA rankings.

The national team will then head to Malaga for a four-nation pocket tournament that will feature host country Spain, Congo, and Ivory Coast.

Gilas will return home on August 13 with less than 3 weeks to prepare before tipping off their World Cup campaign against Italy on August 31.