WATCH: Gilas Pilipinas vs Qatar Game Highlights [19th Asian Games | Oct. 2, 2023]

Gilas Pilipinas completed the job right away, battering Qatar, 80-41, to advance in the quarterfinals of the 19th Asian Games at the Zijingang gymnasium inside the Zhejiang University on Monday.

The Filipinos went storming out of the gates and jumped to an early 33-14 lead by the time the first quarter was over.

The Qataris hardly put up any resistance as Gilas coasted to the wire-to-wire win.

The national team won’t have enough time to savor the moment as it now focuses on its quarterfinal assignment against undefeated Iran.

Gilas tangle with the Iranians, the top seeded team in Pool A, at 12 noon of Tuesday.

“The whole game allowed us to work. It was almost like a practice for us, practicing for Iran. And that big lead from the beginning gave us an opportunity to practice for Iran,” said Gilas coach Tim Cone.

June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez led Gilas with 12 points apiece, while Calvin Oftana was the other player in double figures with 11 points on 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc.