It's going to be a tense and emotional battle when Gilas Pilipinas confronts China in its final classification match game in the FIBA Basketball World Cup on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Action starts at 8 p.m. with the Filipinos shooting for a win that will not only give them a strong finishing kick but will also allow them to salvage some measure of pride in this prestigious 32-nation event.

Gilas Pilipinas is looking to avoid becoming the host country since Colombia in 1982 to finish the World Cup without a single win. A victory would also allow the Filipinos to duplicate their feat in the 2014 World Cup in which they defeated Senegal in overtime, 81-79, in their last game.

But all previous records and statistics are expected to be thrown out of the window as Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes is looking to come up with a strong performance that will soothe the pain created by their very disappointing performance in their first four matches.

Gilas opened their bid with an 81-87 loss to the Dominican Republic before suffering a 70-80 setback to Angola and an 83-90 heartbreak to Italy that sent them crashing out of the medal rounds.

In the classification phase, the Filipinos absorbed a 68-87 loss to South Sudan, a war-torn country that only gained its independence in 2011.

"We just have to remind them what we're playing for," Reyes said in the aftermath of their loss to the South Sudanese headed by former National Basketball Association star Luol Deng and coached by Atlanta Hawks deputy Royal Ivey.

"Just play for the flag and country and we're doing this as our way of serving the Philippines."

Reyes said their encounter with China will be more than a game.

"Basically, we have to remind them that it's more than just a ballgame or a win," said Reyes, who has been under fire for the team's underwhelming performance.

"It's something larger, hopefully, ending it on a winning note and leaving a lasting impression. We're facing the exact same situation we had the last time I coached in the World Cup in 2014 where we faced Senegal in our last game with no chance to advance. It's the same situation now. We'll try to put things together for one last push, knowing that there's no bearing except pride, fight for country, service, which are exactly why we're here in the first place."