Smart, via the GigaPlay App, is set to stream Gilas Pilipinas games against Jordan and Saudi Arabia in the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers this week.
Gilas Pilipinas battled Jordan at the Prince Hamzah Hall in Amman Friday midnight before making a trip to Jeddah to face Saudi Arabia on Monday midnight. Both matches, however, will be replayed at 10:30 a.m. on Friday and Monday.
Bannering Gilas will be 7-foot-2 Adelaide 36ers center Kai Sotto together with Japan B. League standout Dwight Ramos and Ray Parks.
Kiefer Ravena was also part of the pool but had to stay behind after undergoing an emergency dental procedure while his brother, Thirdy, was the last cut.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Basketball Association makes a sacrifice by loaning key players led by reigning Most Valuable Player Scottie Thompson alongside Barangay Ginebra San Miguel teammates Japeth Aguilar and Jamie Malonzo.
Also answering the Gilas call are CJ Perez of San Miguel Beer and Roger Pogoy, Calvin Oftana, and Poy Erram of TNT Tropang Giga.
De La Salle University’s Kevin Quiambao and Ateneo de Manila University’s Ange Kouame occupy the last two slots.
Missing games for this window due to various injuries are six-time PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel, Chris Newsome of Meralco, Carl Tamayo of University of the Philippines.
Currently carrying a 3-3 win-loss slate, Gilas Pilipinas has already qualified for the FIBA World Cup by virtue of being the host country.
Still, the team continues to go all out in the remaining games of the qualifiers as it prepares to face even bigger competition on the world stage.
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