Gilas Pilipinas def Thailand, 87-72 [19th Asian Games | Sep. 28, 2023]

Gilas Pilipinas shoots for win no. 2 in the 19th Asian Games opposite an opponent so familiar with the team.

The Filipinos tangle with long-time Southeast Asian rival Thailand on Thursday at the Zijingang gymnasium inside the Zhejiang University in a Pool C match up set at 11:00 a.m.

Despite the familiarity of the Thais, first order of business for coach Tim Cone following its 89-61 win over Bahrain was to watch the video of Thailand’s opening game against Jordan.

The Thais lost to Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and the Jordanians, 97-63.

“We need to break down their game,” said Cone of Thailand which he got to personally watch during the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia where the Thais lost to the host during the semifinals.

“We hope we’ll have a better feel of Thailand than we did. We gotta need to cause Thailand’s a much stronger team than Bahrain.”

Thailand will be bannered by Tyler Lamb, the former UCLA Bruin, who struggled though, against Jordan with 11 points on 3-of-14 shooting from the field.