Gilas Pilipinas takes on Italy today

By: Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

New players, new coach, new system, same goal.

The revamped Gilas Pilipinas will play their first game in China in the FIBA World cup today, 7 p.m., against a veteran powerhouse in team Italy.

Way back 2016, the PH squad already took a beating from Italy in a FIBA tune-up game, but this time, the boys in blue and white are ready to take on anybody.

Gilas will look to rely on their added experience, depth, and their famous “puso” in this year’s FIBA, looking to show the world they can compete with the best.

Coach Yeng Guiao took coach Chot Reyes’ spot as head coach after the Australia incident, and the move proved to be an effective one as Guiao took the squad to a higher level.

Gilas’ character as a team would be tested as Angola and Serbia join the Philippines and Italy in their group.

The highly anticipated matchup against the Serbian team full of NBA superstars will be on Monday, August 26.