Gilas takes Asia Cup simulation in Doha

MANILA, Philippines —  Gilas Pilipinas will go to Doha, Qatar for its next camp, seeking to simulate the elements it expects to encounter when it eventually competes in the FIBA Asia Cup in August in Saudi Arabia.

The Nationals, who have already secured their spot in the Continental meet with still one window to spare in the Qualifiers, will test themselves against counterparts from Qatar, Lebanon and Egypt in the Second Doha International Cup from Feb. 14 to 16 in this trip.

After this, Tim Cone’s troops will do more travelling as they wrap up their campaign in the ACQ on the road against Chinese Taipei (Feb. 20) and New Zealand (Feb. 23).

“We want it (training camp) hard because this is about preparation (for the Asia Cup proper),” said Cone, whose Gilas squad is scheduled to leave for Qatar today after wrapping up its two-day sessions at Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna.

“We are qualified (already) and so we’re not concerned so much about the qualification now as much as we are concerned about the actual FIBA Asia tournament. So we’re going to use this time as a chance to prepare for the FIBA Asia. It’s early but that’s the only time we’re going to have so we have to take advantage of the times that we have to do it.”