Gilas Pilipinas closed the four-nation Doha Invitational Cup third overall following Monday morning's 86-55 humiliation at the hands of tournament champion Egypt.
Coach Tim Cone has said in earlier interviews that the Philippine team is approaching the Doha friendly games as a chance to reintegrate the players to his system.
True enough, the tournament in Doha gave fit-again AJ Edu and Jamie Malonzo the time to get into the scheme of things. Edu missed the first two windows of the qualifiers due to a knee injury, while Malonzo was out for nine months due a calf injury.
But both has since recovered, which somehow covers for the absence of young slotman Kai Sotto.
Of course, Sotto's absence was a huge blow, with the Filipino just undergoing surgery on his knee recently after tearing his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in a Japan B.League game last December.
Gilas is expected to leave Doha, Qatar Monday night, spend several hours in Manila, before departing for Taiwan on February 18, Tuesday as the team resumes its preparation for the two away games in the last window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
Taking care of the basketball is something Cone will have to address heading to the game against Taiwan, which hosts the Philippines this Thursday, Feb. 20.
In the Doha friendly games, Gilas averaged 18 turnovers per contest, while shooting just 24 percent from three-point zone (15-of-62).
Cone said in a recent conversation with One Sports' Play by Play that they expect Taiwan to play differently under new coach Gianlucca Tucci.
"I think they (Taiwanese) are a tough load for us so we're gonna have to attack in different ways," Cone said. "He has changed the way they played."
The Philippines rolled past Taiwan, 106-53 during the first window a year ago at the Mall of Asia Arena.
