Final stop of the Gilas Pilipinas revenge tour.
The stage is set.
After dishing out a satisfying vengeance win against previous gold medalist Indonesia, Gilas Pilipinas' revenge tour culminates in the Southeast Asian Games men's basketball finals against Cambodia.
Cambodia's import-boosted lineup discombobulated the Philippine team in their meeting during the group stages, and Gilas Pilipinas will look to stick it to the host country in their rematch during the gold medal game later today.
Coach Chot Reyes said it's a huge thing that they've already scouted Cambodia after losing to them last Thursday. Although, the report goes both ways.
"At least we know a lot more of them, but the flipside, they know us as well. They had the luxury of watching us (during the semifinals)," Reyes told One Sports' Carlo Pamintuan.
Gilas Pilipinas will have to overcome the odds in the gold medal match. Cambodia had longer rest in lieu of an earlier schedule in the semifinals against Thailand.
What worries Coach Chot the most is the temperature.
"I'm really worried about the 3'o clock time (4 PM, Manila time). That's a really hot game time."
But there's no time to linger about the disadvantages because it's literally hours before the finals.
Cambodia is on the heel of making history for their country with a first gold medal in the SEA Games men's basketball event. Gilas Pilipinas has other plans though.
"They (Cambodia) have the advantage of the home crowd, advantage of court familiarity, familiarity with these conditions. Like I said, we're just going to make sure that we're going to continue fighting. All we want is to continue to make our country proud."