Gametime is 7:30 p.m (12:30 a.m., Thursday in Manila).

Thrown off-sync by the late arrival of Angola, the Filipinos had two hard practice sessions since arriving in this oil-rich nation Monday. They watched the opening game between Latvia and Qatar Tuesday, which the former won, 61-52.

The loss makes the taller and heftier hosts a lot more dangerous as they would like to avoid dropping into the bottom of the four-team field. But national coach Chot Reyes is keeping his fingers crossed his charges can give the thousands of Filipinos expected to crowd the venue something to be happy about.

"I actually have mixed feelings about the game," said Reyes. "Good because we have played them a number of times before and we basically know their style of play. Bad because we’re playing them in their home turf and that certainly is an advantage."

If the practice sessions will be a gauge though, the coaching staff has reasons to expect a big game from the Nationals, who are backed by San Miguel Corp.

"The boys are very excited to play their first game, and everyone is looking forward to playing Qatar," Reyes said.

Khaled Suleyman and Ali Turki led the hosts in their losing cause against the Latvians, who displayed impeccable shooting and a fluid motion offense.

Dorian Peña and Rafi Reavis are expected to have their hands full against the big Qataris but the Filipinos hope the flashy Willie Miller can break down the hosts’ defense and get the team’s perimeter game going.

"We hope to use our advantage in quickness over Qatar to negate their edge in ceiling. Let’s just hope our shots go in. Ang problema, hindi sila maka-shoot against Latvia, baka sa atin pa pumutok ang mga shooters nila," Reyes said.

Outside firepower will be provided by Red Bull tandem Larry Fonacier and Mick Pennisi, who should likewise get enough support from backcourtmen Miller, LA Tenorio and Joseph Yeo.

In the recent Jones Cup cagefest held in Taipei, Qatar nipped SMC-Pilipinas by five points to avenge the mauling it got from the Filipinos the year before.