![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.
![Justin Brownlee of the Philippines against Thailand at the 2023 Asian Games [PSC-POC photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/382266622_707026184619041_2181445154918113872_n-400x200.jpg)
Gilas Pilipinas needed more than three full quarters to solve the riddle of Thailand and Tyler Lamb on Thursday, September 28, going without a clue before finding the answer in the last six minutes to win, 87-72, in the 19th Asian Games at the Zhejiang University Zijingang 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.
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.
![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.
![The Philippine basketball national team prior to thier arrival in Hangzhou, China. [photo credit: SBP Instagram]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/381455791_1285705815430943_4317041236993903270_n-e1695568557542-400x200.jpg)
Coach Tim Cone and his 12-man crew checked in at the Hangzhou International Airport on Sunday, September 24, afternoon following their six-hour flight from Manila.
![The Philippines U16 team to the FIBA U16 Asian Championship 2023 in Doha, Qatar. [FIBA.com photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PH-FIBA-U16-team-2023-400x200.jpg)
For the Philippines, the final lineup is composed of Kiefer Louie Alas, Elijah Mark Williams, Noah Banal, Paul Diao, Joaquin Ludovice, Kurt Velasaquez, Samuel Alegre, Cletz Amos, Edryn Morales, Irush Chua, Bonn Doja and Jaime Lorenzo Gomez De Liano.
After more than two weeks of nonstop basketball action, the FIBA World Cup 2023 held in Manila came to a close last September 10.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann reiterated his support for the country’s hosting and called on basketball-loving Filipinos to watch the games, especially Gilas Pilipinas matches, starting August 25 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan
![Gilas Pilipinas and Angola [PR photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Gilas-vs-Angola-400x200.jpeg)
NBA star Jordan Clarkson and six-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo led five Gilas Pilipinas players in double figures as the Nationals overpowered African qualifier Ivory Coast in the second half on the way to an 85-62 tuneup game victory Friday night, Aug. 18, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.