Gilas 5 wins first NZ friendly game

A day after its roster for the Fiba Asia Men’s Championship was finalized, the Gilas Pilipinas emerged victorious in the first of six exhibition games as it won over the Hawke’s Bay Hawks, 82-78, at the Hastings Sports Center in Napier, New Zealand.

The roster was submitted by head coach Chot Reyes last Thursday, in time for the Friday deadline that Fiba Asia set for the tournament that unfolds on Aug. 1 in Manila.

The final roster includes Cebu’s Junemar Fajardo, a native of Pinamungahan town, southwestern Cebu.

Meanwhile, the Hawks are being mentored by the very same coach that is helping the Gilas on this particular trip, Tab Baldwin.

Baldwin also happens to be the head coach of New Zealand’s national team, the Tall Blacks, who the Gilas will also be facing in this trip.

According to assistant coach Josh Reyes, the team was a bit rusty coming off from a long lay off. But he said it was a good win for the squad that will represent the country in the competition that dangles three spots to the Fiba World Cup 2014 in Spain.

The two teams meet again today before the Nationals take on the National Basketbal League All Stars tomorrow.