Rajko Toroman has set a moderate goal for Indonesia in its joust against Gilas Pilipinas: to give the Filipinos a run for their own money.

Considered heavy underdogs, Indonesia faces a daunting task when it tangles with the Philippines in the final window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Clark, Pampanga on Friday, June 18.

“We’ll try to push them to the limit. That is our goal. I think they’re the favorites, they’re better than us,” Toroman said.

“[W]e will do everything to give them a hard time.”

The Philippines dealt Indonesia a major beating the last time they faced.

Bolstered by several PBA players, Gilas Pilipinas obliterated Indonesia by 30 points, 100-70, in the first window of the qualifiers in February last year.

Although the national team shifted to an all-cadet roster, it remained a formidable crew, as proven by its back-to-back routs of Thailand in the second window in Bahrain and its upset of Korea to start the third window.

The young Filipinos’ success, though, did not come as a shock to Toroman, who coached the first iteration of the Gilas Pilipinas program.

“I think the Philippines played a great game,” Toromon said of the Filipinos’ win over the Koreans.

“A lot of people are asking me if it is a big surprise, for me it is not because I saw this team in Bahrain and I’ve said that this is a very talented, athletic team,” he added.

With twin towers Kai Sotto and Angelo Kouame in the fold, Toroman said the national team has a bright future.

“Now that they have Kai Sotto and Kouame, they’re looking [like] a very, very good team.” – Rappler.com