![Chris Ross, Japeth Aguilar and Justin Brownlee of the Philippines [PSC-POC photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/383768428_1504702050303075_2349943631389886255_n-400x200.jpg)
Call it the lull before the storm, Jordan’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson hugging Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone, Justin Brownlee and TNT Tropang Giga teammate Calvin Oftana when they ran across each other at a training facility in the 19th Asian Games last Wednesday.
![Gilas Womens at the 2023 Asian Games [PSC-POC photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/382708080_703641595132387_8445248423510047935_n-400x200.jpg)
Pontejos sizzled for 23 points including seven three pointers in the team’s second straight win at the SX Olympic gymnasium.
![Ange Kouame of the Philippines [PSC-POC photo release]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/383881140_261130822981041_8453129089755135240_n1-400x200.jpg)
Gilas Pilipinas goes for its second win when they face Southeast Asian Games rival Thailand on Thursday, September 28, in men’s basketball competition of the 2023 Asian Games.
![John Bismarck Lina [photo from John Bismarck Lina Facebook]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/26114017_1655320191155968_3866524037463251856_n-e1695651968393-400x200.jpg)
The Philippine men’s 3×3 team are on the verge of completing a sweep of its Pool A assignment in the Asian Games 2023, carving out a 21-15 win over Hong Kong on Wednesday, September 27, at the Deqing Geographic Information Park Basketball Court.
Cignal TV announced on Wednesday, September 27, that UAAP Season 86 “Fueling the Future” shall be made available to sports enthusiasts in the Philippines and around the world through its innovative OTT streaming platform, Pilipinas Live.
Gilas Pilipinas buckled down to business right away, routing Bahrain, 89-61, to kick off its 19th Asian Games campaign on a rousing note on Tuesday, September 26, at the HOC Olympic Stadium.
![Jack Animam spearheads the Gilas Pilipinas Womens five set to debut at the 2023 Asian Games [photo credit: Jack Animam]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/380800973_18381926143000224_3754040037677004021_n-e1695735093645-400x200.jpg)
Awaiting the Filipina cagebelles in its opening game in the 19th edition of the meet is Kazakhstan, a perennial contender which made the quarterfinals of the quadrennial showpiece’s last two staging.
![Philippine team head coach Tim Cone giving instructions to his players. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PBA-Images155-400x200.jpg)
The real test begins for Gilas Pilipinas on Tuesday, September 26, when it makes its highly-anticipated debut in the 19th Asian Games.
Left to carry the fight in 3×3 basketball competitions, the Philippine men’s team rose to the occasion and hacked out a 13-8 victory over Jordan in the 19th Asian Games on Monday, September 25.
![Camille Nolasco [photo credit: Camille Nolasco Facebook]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/306929006_6259899690693785_3328743542577365876_n-400x200.jpg)
With its appeal for inclusion of two replacement players denied, the Philippine women’s 3×3 team decided to withdraw from the 19th Asian Games with a heavy heart.