Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes is preaching for more improvement from his team even after a convincing victory over India to officially start the campaign in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

The Philippines rolled to an 88-64 win over the Indians in their Group A match Friday, Feb. 25 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, but Reyes would rather point out the aspects that Gilas must work on before an uphill battle against New Zealand.

“To get a win is always important,” Reyes said in the postgame press conference. “But that’s tempered with the fact that we know we’ve got a long way to go.

“There’s a lot to improve in the game. We had 17 turnovers, we missed some open shots, some are missed defensive assignments, but at least the important thing is that we learned and we continue growing in the process.”

Four players scored in double figures for Gilas with the duo of Japan-based Dwight Ramos and Thirdy Ravena leading the charge.

RR Pogoy and Robert Bolick were also on that list while their fellow PBA cager Kib Montalbo may have overshadowed everyone with his usual peskiness on both ends of the floor.

Reyes lauded Montalbo, his reserve guard at TNT in the PBA, but was not surprised with how he performed.

But Gilas also dealt with some injuries, particularly to Troy Rosario and naturalized player Ange Kouame.

Rosario dislocated the same finger that got him injured during TNT’s series victory over Magnolia Pambansang Manok in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals last October in Bacolor, Pampanga.

That may result in some mild changes in the 12-man roster for the match against the Kiwis. Gab Banal, Jaydee Tungcab and LeBron Lopez were the three players left off the India match.

Kouame dealt with cramps during the contest, but Reyes said there’s no reason to be worried since it appears to be a case of the 6-foot-7 center coming off a long layoff.