Smart-Gilas Pilipinas will be facing off with the tough Chinese basketball team on Friday at Tokyo, Japan to start their campaign for the 2012 FIBA-Asia Cup.

Gilas head coach Chot Reyes said that the Chinese team who just got off from the 2012 London Olympics will be beneficial for them.

He said, “It’s a good preparation for us.”

The Philippines and China are in the same group with Lebanon and Macau which will face off in the first match of the tourney.

The Philippines and China last met in the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championship in which the former lost, 75-60.

Both teams are vying for their first championship in the tilt.