The Cedars are the first Asian team to get through the Asian Qualifiers for a reason.
Final window right at home in the Philippine Arena. Both Gilas Pilipinas and the Cedars of Lebanon have already qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
On paper, these two teams can take it easy. But Gilas head coach Chot Reyes knows that won't be the case for either the Philippines and for Lebanon.
"We have no illusions that this is going to be an easy game," he told One News' The Big Story on Thursday. "Lebanon is a very deep, high quality, well-coached team. They know how to play the international game. They're very well-versed, they have a lot of confidence."
"We expect this to be a difficult, tough ball game."
Yes, the Cedars will not have reigning FIBA Asia Cup MVP Wael Arakji. But they don't really need to bring him to the Philippine Arena to have a taste of what it's like to play in the final stage of the World Cup.
Lebanon, without Arakji, defeated New Zealand in the second round of the Asian Qualifiers, 77-65. The Cedars bounced back in the second half against the Tall Blacks, thanks to double-digit scoring from Ali Haidar, Hayk Gyokchyan, Jad Khalil, and Karim Zeinoun.
In fact, their only loss of the Qualifiers so far is against Jordan.
Those Lebanese players—minus Haidar—will be competing against Gilas Pilipinas this Friday.
They didn't come cold to the Philippines too. Lebanese players powered both Al Riyadi and Dynamo in the finals of the Dubai International Basketball Championship. Al Riyadi won by a single point, 86-85. Ali Mansour, Zeinoun, and Amir Saoud will also be coming in fresh from the FIBA West Asia Super League.
For Reyes, Saoud and Sergio El Darwich are definitely ones to watch for Lebanon.
The Cedars have the edge against the Philippines in scoring and assists, ranking second overall in the region. They're the Asian leader in steals as well.
What Gilas has the advantage in, at least in previous games, is in rebounds and blocks. That though will be put to the test in the final window with a shortage of big men.
The game of the Philippines against Lebanon will take place this Friday, 6 p.m. at the Philippine Arena. This will also be aired live on TV5 and One Sports+, with an 8 p.m. replay on One Sports.