Jordan def Gilas Pilipinas, 91-90 [FIBAWC Asian Qualifiers | Feb. 27, 2023]

Gilas Pilipinas opted to make just a minor adjustment in its 12-man roster for the game against Jordan in the final playdate of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers on Monday.

Chot Reyes and his coaching staff inserted young big man Kevin Quiambao for Calvin Oftana in the 6 p.m. match against the Jordanians at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

But the rest of the lineup that pulled off a 107-96 win against Lebanon Friday night remained the same led by naturalized player Justin Brownlee.

Also in the lineup are Scottie Thompson, Dwight Ramos, Jamie Malonzo, CJ Perez, Bobby Ray Parks, Jordan Heading, Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Mason Amos, and June Mar Fajardo.

While Reyes lauded the team’s offense against the Lebanese that saw the Filipinos buried 17 three-point shots, the coaching staff believes Gilas Pilipinas’ defense still leaves a lot to be desired.

“We need to be able to play better defense to come out and have a better performance against Jordan,” said Reyes.

Jordan is coming off a 98-63 rout of India in Bangalore also on Friday night, and coupled by the 110-63 loss of Saudi Arabia to New Zealand in Christchurch, is now qualified in the FIBA World Cup set in August later this year.