Gilas set for World Cup warmup games against Iran, Senegal

MANILA (Philippines) - In just over three weeks, the Philippines will launch their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 campaign against the Dominican Republic.

The team is to step up its preparations for the event with four warm-up games over the next seven days at the China International Hoops Festival.

 
Gilas will take on Iran on August 3, Senegal on August 4 and August 6, and Iran again on August 7.

Iran announced their 15-man training camp squad this week and while they have veterans like Hamed Haddadi, Arsalan Kazemi, and Behnam Yakhchali, there are some less experienced yet tantalizing prospects like Mohammad Amini, a star in the country's youth national teams last summer that played at the FIBA U16 Asia Championship and the FIBA U18 Championship. However, the Iran team that will be playing at China International Hoops Festival will be comprised of a different set of players as announced by the national federation.

Senegal did not qualify for the World Cup but are preparing for the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Lagos, which gets underway on August 12.

The Philippines previously went through a tour in Europe to prepare for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 and will continue in China their preparations for the main event.

Gilas are in the same group with Italy, Angola, and Dominican Republic in Group A. The Philippines are co-hosting the World Cup with Indonesia and Japan.

FIBA