GILAS ASSEMBLES FOR HOME GIGS

Looking to sustain the gains from its strong showing in the Paris Olympics Qualifiers in Latvia, Gilas Pilipinas reconvenes on Friday, raring to accomplish a new mission: Beat New Zealand and Hong Kong in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers

- OLMIN LEYBA

Tim Cone's charges, including AJ Edu, who missed the last campaign due to a knee injury, will have their usual stay-in sessions at Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna to reconnect and brush up on their system.

The Nationals have six days of build-up before tackling world No. 22 and fellow 2-0 record-holder New Zealand in the first of their two Group B home assignments on Nov. 21 at the MOA Arena. After three days, they shoot for a repeat against a Hong Kong team (0-2) that they previously demolished on the road in February, 94-64.