If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.
Yes, Gilas Pilipinas is already qualified in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, but that doesn't mean that the team is taking the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers lightly.
National team coach Chot Reyes said the final window will be a "good test" for the team, particularly against Lebanon—the squad he dubbed as the "best team in Asia" right now.
"Lebanon finished second in the last FIBA Asia Cup only to Australia, and Australia is not really in Asia so for me the number one team in Asia [is] Lebanon," Reyes said.
The Cedars previously defeated Gilas Pilipinas last August in the fourth window. The huge difference this time though is that the Filipino squad will have the backing of its famous "sixth man" when the two teams collide at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
Reyes hopes Gilas Pilipinas fans will flock the world's largest indoor arena to give the squad a big boost.
"We're hoping that people come out and support us. It's not every day that we see the national team play against this kind of competition."
That competition, however, may look different compared to the last Gilas-Lebanon encounter. The Lebanese Basketball Federation recently posted a photo of the contingent coming over this Friday, and missing are ace Wael Arakji and big men Ali Haidar and Jonathan Arledge. Take note that like Gilas Pilipinas, Lebanon has already punched its ticket to the World Cup, and that may have had a hand in this move.
As of writing, Lebanon has yet to officially update its final lineup for the sixth window. But whoever will suit up, Gilas will certainly put up a fight.
(With reports from Martie Bautista, News5)