MANILA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - RR Pogoy knows that the Philippines have to be at their best in the third window as they play two important Asian Qualifiers games.

The Philippines will first face familiar foe Chinese Taipei in the third window. Gilas Pilipinas defeated Taipei in the first window at home, but it was a little too close for comfort. Pogoy expects things to be even tougher when they go on the road and take on the Taipei quintet on their own home floor.

"We had a hard enough time beating them here in Manila, and this time it will be harder because they have home court," he said. "We just have to be ready and have to be more aware of the mistakes we made when we last played them."

Pogoy did well in that victory over Chinese Taipei, scoring 11 points, but he knows he'll need to play even more efficiently in the third window to help Gilas Pilipinas in a bigger way. He also knows that though he is one of the team's designated shooters, the team will also look to him for more defensive intensity.

"I have to get better at my outside shooting," he said. "My role is to be a shooter in addition to playing good defense, and I need to do those well to contribute to the team."

One of the players he may have to defend in the coming window is no less than bona fide NBA floor general Matthew Dellavedova of Australia. Dellavedova finished the 2017-2018 NBA season averaging 2.0 points and 2.7 assists per game for the Milwaukee Bucks. He last played for the Boomers in the Rio 2016 Olympics as the Aussies finished in the top four.

If Pogoy does get assigned to shadow Dellavedova, the former knows he'll need to be at his best, and that it's a rare chance he cannot take for granted.

"If I end up guarding Dellavedova, that'd be like a dream come true because I've always wanted to play against NBA players," he said.

At the end of the day, Pogoy just wants to help the Philippines national team in any way he can. Playing for Gilas Pilipinas has been one huge learning experience for Pogoy, and he knows he has become a better player because of this.

"Playing for Gilas has given me and my career a big boost," he said. "Starting from when I was with the Gilas Cadets, I got so much confidence after playing against bigger and more talented competition. My knowledge and experience base for the game just expanded."

The Philippines play Chinese Taipei at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium on 29 June and then return home to host Australia at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan City on 2 July.

FIBA