WATCH: Foshan to be Gilas’ first stop in FIBA World Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Eight cities in China will host the FIBA World Cup, and serving as Gilas Pilipinas’ first stop is Foshan. 

Foshan is home to more than 7 million people and is the third largest city in the Guangdong Province.

There, the Philippines will play its first-round games against Group D foes Italy, Serbia, and Angola at the 14,700-seater Metro Sports Arena. (LOOK: Gilas Pilipinas schedule in FIBA World Cup 2019)

If the Filipinos manage to finish within the top two, they would then head to Wuhan for the second round of the group phase. 

But if the Philippines wound up in the bottom two, Beijing would be its next home for the classification stage.

Gilas Pilipinas will parade a mix of rising stars and battle-tested veterans in the global hoop showdown.

Andray Blatche, June Mar Fajardo, Paul Lee, Japeth Aguilar, and Gabe Norwood, who all saw action in the 2014 edition in Spain, lead the country’s 12-man lineup.

Rounding out the squad are Kiefer Ravena, Raymond Almazan, Mark Barroca, Troy Rosario, Roger Pogoy, Robert Bolick, and CJ Perez. – Rappler.com