Gilas kicks off MVP Cup with duel vs TNT

Members of Gilas Pilipinas huddle in the middle of training. INQUIRER FILE /AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Gilas Pilipinas opens its stint in the Master Game Face MVP Cup against a familiar foe in Talk ‘N Text on Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Changsha-bound squad will square off against the Tropang Texters, which will be bannered by late cuts Moala Tautuaa and Troy Rosario, as well as Gilas deputy Jong Uichico and Nash Racela.

Game time is at 7 p.m.

Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser will also square off against their PBA teammates for the first time in what promises to be an exciting start to the four-team, three-day tourney.

Ryan Reyes, Larry Fonacier, Kelly Williams, Harvey Carey, and Danny Seigle will also be on the Talk ‘N Text side as it tries to stand its ground against the Gilas squad led by Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, and naturalized player Andray Blatche.

The next day, Gilas will be squaring off against Wellington Saints of New Zealand on Saturday, which it beat in overtime, 92-88 in the recently concluded Jones Cup.

Gilas wraps up its MVP Cup assignment against rival Chinese Taipei on Sunday, before the squad leaves for China on Sept. 20.