Gilas Pilipinas will be facing its first real litmus test when it takes on Cambodia in the men’s 5-on-5 basketball tournament in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at the Elephant Hall 2 at the Morodok Techo National Stadium on Thursday, May 11.

Michael Phillips was solid for Gilas Pilipinas during its first game against Malaysia (Ariya Kurniawan | @ariyakurniawan16 on IG)

The Filipinos gun for a 2-0 standing in Group A against the Cambodian team which will be fielding at least six naturalized players in the 6 p.m. affair (Manila time) according to Gilas head coach Chot Reyes.

Although fresh off a 94-49 demolition of Malaysia in its opening game, Gilas is not coming into the game complacent especially with Reyes expecting the host to put up a fight behind its naturalized players.

Gilas actually already got a glimpse of Cambodian naturalized players with Brandon Peterson, Sayeed Pridgett and Darrinray Dorsey leading the hosts’ 3x3 men team to a gold medal finish, beating the Filipinos in the half-court game.

“They're a tough team. We saw their three guys in the 3x3 but they still have another three guys they have like six naturalized guys or something so they're going to be a handful. They are going to be tough,” said Reyes.

The playing condition inside the venue also remains a concern for the Nationals with Calvin Oftana already sustaining a calf strain injury due to the slippery floor. Reyes said the team needs to focus on what they can control and learn to adapt with their environment and their opponents.

“We have to be able to adjust during the game. We have very little knowledge about their game as a team. We have some information about them as individuals but as a team very little so it's a matter of how well we can adapt. Our adaptability is going to be tested,” added Reyes.

Justin Brownlee, after leaving most of the cudgels to Gilas newcomers in the opening game, is expected to lead the way this time around. He will be backstopped by Brandon Ganuelas Rosser and Michael Phillips who both shone in the Nationals’ opening game 

Ganuelas-Rosser led the way with 15 points while Phillips hauled down 15 rebounds on top of nine rebounds.