Trending! Live Updates: Philippines Gilas vs Japan in FIBA Asia Cup 2022 - Quarter Finals

After a blowout loss to the Tall Blacks of New Zealand, the Philippines, or Gilas Pilipinas, will face a familiar foe in the knockout stage of the FIBA Asia Cup Quarter Finals this Tuesday, July 19.

Manila, Philippines - Gilas Pilipinas will have a chance again to prove why "PUSO" is still a thing for Philippine Basketball as it tries to book a spot in the top-eight finish in the FIBA Asia Cup.

Image courtesy of  FIBA Asia Cup website

Gilas will face a familiar Asian rival Japan in the knockout round on Tuesday in Jakarta, Indonesia. Following losses to Asian powerhouses New Zealand and the Haddadi-led mighty Iran, the two teams are attempting to salvage a spot in the FIBA Asia Cup 2022 semifinal bracket.

Image courtesy of  FIBA Asia Cup website

The Philippines held a 1-2 win-loss record before entering the quarter-final stage, while Japan had a 2-1 convincing group stage record.

Image courtesy of  Wikipedia

Gilas Ballers have already asserted mastery of Akatsuki Five [Japan] gameplay over the years, but this will not be a walk in the park for Gilas, since Japan's Akatsuki Five are reinforced with NBA caliber players.

Yuta Watanabe of the Atlanta Hawks will try to break the hope of a Filipino's entering the semifinal match in the FIBA Asia Cup 2022. Luke Evans, the naturalized player of Japan, will also be part of the Akatsuki Five, and will try to punish Gilas Pilipinas when they meet in the quarter-final match this Tuesday.

Image courtesy of  Wikipedia and FIBA Asia Cup

 
Below is the 12-man lineup of Gilas Pilipinas for this Tuesday's game against Japan. Dwight Ramos apparently suffered an injury before the FIBA Asia Cup 2022 tipoff, so he will be out of the Gilas roster while Rhenz Abando has a go signal to replace him.

Image courtesy of FIBA Asia website

While Japan's Akatsuki Five is below:

Image courtesy of FIBA Asia website

The winner of this quarter final match will face the Asian powerhouse Australia, led by former NBA player Thon Maker. 

If Gilas will win over Japan, this is gonna be a tough road for them. A rematch that will test Gilas and Australia after the infamous brawl occur in 2018 resulted to a 30-minute delay of game and suspension of more than 10 players including coaches and staff.

Image courtesy via Wikipedia

Can Gilas Pilipinas upset the hot shooting team foes of Japan to face the mighty powerhouse Australia? Will there be a rematch between Gilas Pilipinas and Australia?.

Well, we can find out tomorrow.

Live TV Broadcast: One Sports PH

Images from: FIBA Asia Cup 2022 website, Wikipedia