Coach Yeng Guiao estimates Gilas Pilipinas is at about "75 percent ready" for Iran and the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifier.
The national squad leaves Manila on Monday and will have two days to practice before playing Iran in Tehran on Sept. 13. The Philippines will host Qatar on September 17 in a closed-door game in Manila.
"Offensively we've been running our sets, running our patterns. We've run everything we need against Iran, just a little bit of polishing and fine tuning," Guiao said after Friday evening's practice at the Meralco gym. "Right now, we're about 75 percent and the next 25 percent we should be able to put in place the next three or four days."
Guiao said he is incorporating offensive sets and plays in the past four days so new members from the pool -- Ian Sangalang of Magnolia, San Miguel guards Alex Cabagnot and Marcio Lassiter and Ginebra's Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson -- were accounted for.
Cabagnot, Thompson and Lassiter are impressing Guiao, the coaching staff, and teammates.
"I'm really happy with the progress of the guards like Cabagnot, Scottie Thompson and Marcio [Lassiter]," Guiao said. "While the bigs like Ian Sangalang, Japeth [Aguilar] and Greg [Slaughter], the plays are a little bit complicated from the standpoint of the bigs so it will take a little bit time for the bigs to understand."
Slaughter is still sidelined with an ankle injury but will still make the trip to Iran. Slaughter's availability is still up in the air.
"It's still under review," Slaughter said. "[For the ankle] I've visited Dr. (Raul) Canlas today and he told me to immobilize it for three more days and he also gave me medication. The brace is keeping it still but it's still swollen."
Stanley Pringle, who sat out last Thursday's practice, is also waiting for news on his bid to play as a local.
"I submitted my requirements," Pringle said. "It's in their hands now."
Pringle and Poy Erram were in uniform Friday night but Matthew Wright was out with an illness.
Guiao devoted a large portion of Friday's session to defense and team officials have requested FIBA licensed referees from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to visit Saturday's practice. Gilas on Sunday will play a tuneup game against the IECO Green Warriors.
"We definitely need to see the team in a game situation even if it's just a practice game that's going to be on Sunday. So if ever, we can see some flaws and mistakes, we can correct that," Guiao said.
The Green Warriors, coached by former Phoenix coach Ariel Vanguardia, are representing the Philippines in the Terrific 12 tournament in Macau this month.