It looks like Gilas Pilipinas is headed in the right direction with their 23-point demolition of Ivory Coast during their tuneup game on Friday at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
With just a week away before their FIBA World Cup game against the Dominican Republic, the nationals showed cohesion in their scrimmage against the FIBA World Cup African qualifier.
Jordan Clarkson poured all of his 13 points in the first half, while June Mar Fajardo muscled his way inside the paint with 13 points.
AJ Edu chipped in 12 points on top of seven rebounds and two assists, even as Kai Sotto contributed 10 points, four rebounds, and a block.
Scottie Thompson, for his part, proved that he is no longer bothered by his metacarpal injury, firing 11 markers on top of his five assists and four boards.
Ivory Coast is rated 42nd in the FIBA rankings, just two notches under the Philippines (40th).
Gilas will next take on world No. 18 Montenegro on Sunday and No. 31 Mexico on Monday in separate friendly games.
Gilas coach Chot Reyes will be using the three tune-up matches to gain a full measure of what kind of team to form before he decides on the Final 12 roster from the current 16-man pool.
