A pair of young guns are raring to pull off an improved performance when Gilas Pilipinas sees action in the FIBA Asia Cup in Jakarta from 12 to 24 July.,Gilas playmakers RJ Abarrientos and SJ Belangel said familiarity against other teams will be the main key as they brace for a tougher battle in this prestigious 16-team continental cage fest.,After all, Gilas are set for back-to-back reunions against India and New Zealand and Lebanon in Group D of the tournament.,The Philippines will open its Asia Cup campaign against the Lebanese on 13 July at the Gelora Bung Karno Sports Palace, followed by a reunion with the Indians on the 15 and the Kiwis on the 17th.,“It will be a big advantage for us because we already saw the players of New Zealand and India, but of course, we’re taking it one game at a time,” Abarrientos said.,The Nationals wrapped up their two-game spread in the third window of FIBA World Cup qualifiers where they suffered a humiliating 60-106 romp to New Zealand before closing the window with a 79-63 bounceback win over India in their final match.,While the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has yet to complete the lineup, Gilas program director Chot Reyes hinted at the possibility of tapping Japan-based cagers Ray Parks and Thirdy Ravena to beef up the squad.,Reyes is also inclined to bring TNT Tropang Giga veterans Kelly Williams and Poy Erram to bolster the frontcourt.,Although nothing is cast in stone yet, Belangel said they need to be more mature and avoid the same mistakes they made especially against the Tall Blacks.,Aside from the two, other expected shoo-ins in the roster are Kiefer Ravena, Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, Rhenz Abando, Will Navarro, Geo Chiu, Lebron Lopez and Kevin Quiambao.,“Of course, we don’t want to think ahead, but we have to take it one game at a time. What’s always important is to see the Philippines leading at the end of the buzzer,” Belangel said.,“We don’t want to repeat what happened with New Zealand, we have to be stronger.”, ,