Gilas Pilipinas will try to use its size advantage against a crack Jordan team when it sees action in the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at the Prince Hamzah Hall in Amman on Thursday night (Friday in Manila).

With a frontcourt bannered by 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto, 6-foor-10 naturalized player Ange Kouame, and 6-foot-9 forward Japeth Aguilar, the Philippines is out to impose its will in the shaded lane to clinch the victory and redeem itself from a painful 85-81 loss to Lebanon in its previous road game in Beirut last August.

Sotto, the 20-year-old slotman who plays for the Adelaide 36ers in the National Basketball League in Australia, will join forces with the Ivorian Kouame, who patrols the shaded lanes for Ateneo de Manila University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

Both Sotto and Kouame will be playing together for the first time since terrorizing the paint when Gilas Pilipinas defeated South Korea twice in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Pampanga last year.

This will also be the first time that they will play under head coach Chot Reyes, who is a well-known motivator.

On the other hand, Aguilar, who plays the center and forward positions for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, could use his athleticism to the fullest over shorter defenders at the wing spot.

Now the acknowledge senior statesman of the team, the 34-year-old national team mainstay will be playing a bigger role as he is tipped to provide the experience and leadership to the squad that is out to draw the support of countless Filipino migrant workers in the Middle East.

After Jordan, Gilas will take on Saudi Arabia at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Sunday night (Monday in Manila).

Aside from its height advantage, the Philippines is also expected to display its versatility on both ends.

Without a natural point guard following the exclusion of Kiefer Ravena, who was unable to join due to an emergency dental procedure, the playmaking chore will be divided among Japan B. League stalwarts Dwight Ramos and Ray Parks as well as Philippine Basketball Association stars CJ Perez of San Miguel Beer and Scottie Thompson of Ginebra.