It’s going to be a defensive war of attrition when host Gilas Pilipinas and Jordan meet in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers second round opener today at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Jordan is under a new coach in Spanish tactician Luis Guil Torres, who replaced Wesam Al-Sous after the third window.

And just like Gilas mentor Tim Cone, Torres’ system revolves around implementing stingy defense to wear down opponents.

Torres is a defensive strategist, and his expertise could pose a big problem for the Philippines, which is playing a must-win game sans scoring leader injured naturalized player Justin Brownlee.

The 55-year-old Torres also served as Spain’s national team defensive coordinator and assistant coach of the Spanish national squad from 2017 to 2025.

In fact, other coaches, including San Beda University mentor Yuri Escueta, attend his clinic to learn his defensive tactics.

“His tutorial sessions with us focus on the defensive concepts that they implement in Spain,” Escueta shared with the DAILY TRIBUNE.

Escueta added that Gilas will have to brace for a European style of play against the Jordanians under Torres’ watch.

“Well, surely a European style of play, and of course, his specialty is defense,” he said.

“You have to anticipate their good ball movement on offense. Of course, you also have to be ready for defensive change-ups and different kinds of ball-screen defense, as well as zone defense, Pack Line, and even triangle-and-two,” he added.

However, Strong Group Athletics (SGA)-Pilipinas head coach Charles Tiu sees the short time Jordan had to prepare and fully integrate into Torres’ system as an opening for Gilas to exploit.

SGA-Pilipinas beat the same Jordan squad, 96-91, in the battle for fifth of the 45th William Jones Cup last week.

“They’re a relatively slow team. Their big men are slow and are not a great shooting team, at least not at the level of New Zealand and Japan,” Tiu said.

Still, Cone remains wary of Jordan, which closed the first round with a 5-1 win-loss record.

Cone is particularly keeping a close eye on scorer Jalen Harris, who is averaging 27 points per game.

“So, he’s someone that we’re going to have to find some stoppers to go against. So that makes him, with Jalen Harris, very formidable for us to defend,” Cone said.