MANILA, Philippines –  GILAS Pilipinas played a practice match against the Korean team Changwon LG Sakers before departing for Hangzhou, China. on Friday in Pasig’s PhilSports Arena.

Cone is encouraging Gilas fans to attend the game, which is open to the public, and to stand by their team until the Asian Games competition in Hangzhou, when Team Philippines competes against Bahrain, Thailand, and Jordan.

Regarding their lone exhibition game before leaving, Cone expressed his hope that they could fill the stadium.

Last Tuesday’s friendly match between Gilas and Meralco at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna was postponed due to concerns about the health of Calvin Abueva, Jason Perkins, Terrence Romeo, and Mo Tautuaa.

As of the time of publication, the team is still awaiting official confirmation from the Asiad organizers regarding the quartet’s admission. If not, June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, Calvin Oftana, Chris Newsome, Justin Brownlee, Ange Kouame, and Marcio Lassiter will link up with Chris Ross, Kevin Alas, Arvin Tolentino, and CJ Perez.

Leaving their training at the Laguna Inspire Sports Academy, the Nationals headed to the friendly match against the Sakers.

Since they were only founded 11 days ago, they are restricted to practices.

Cone asserted that practices are more significant than friendlies or practice games since they provide for greater learning than games do. “We really don’t have much time to play a lot of friendly games,” Cone added.

As they pursue a first podium finish for the nation at the Asian Games since the Centennial Team won bronze in 1998 in Bangkok, they are hopeful that the lessons they have learned will be sufficient. That bronze accomplishment was designed by Cone himself.

He is seeking nothing less than gold in Hangzhou.