Gilas tackles Jordan five, eyes lighter q’final foe

SMART Gilas-Pilipinas shoots for a higher group seeding and a lighter quarterfinal assignment when the Filipinos battle Sporting Aramex of Jordan Sunday (Monday night in Manila) in the 24th Dubai International basketball bournament at Al Ahli Club gym in Dubai.

Gametime is 9 p.m. in Dubai with the Filipinos seeking to bounce back from a 97-82 drubbing they absorbed at the hands of host Al Ahli.

The Filipinos have a 1-1 record like the three others in their group, and though all four will advance to the quarterfinals, winning against the Jordanians would give them a lower-ranked foe in the first round of the playoffs.

Al Mouttahed Tripoli of Lebanon, which the Filipinos downed in the inaugurals, and Al Ahli clash in the other Group B game.

Sporting Aramex was stunned Sunday night by Al Mouttahed. Musong R. Castillo