To sit out the match are Raymond Almazan and Scottie Thompson. Pogoy, who served out his FIBA suspension, takes the place of Thompson, as the Filipinos go flat out to win the game and have a shot at a berth in the World Cup proper in China later this year. But the Nationals are burning with their desire to salvage a World Cup ticket. Complications abound but Gilas is focused to win its game against Kazakhstan. What would give the Nationals a sure entry into the World Cup is a win against the Kazakhs, and a loss by either Lebanon or Jordan against Korea or New Zealand, respectively.

Source: Philippine Star February 23, 2019 16:05 UTC