(PBA image)
A fresh dose of youth and size greeted Gilas Pilipinas as preparations officially began for the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, with Justine Baltazar and Juan Gomez de Liaño reporting to camp on Day 1.
The two Converge FiberXers standouts immediately drew attention, not just for their presence but for what it represents. For Baltazar, the 6-foot-9 Season 49 top overall pick, it marked his first-ever inclusion in the Gilas pool, a long-awaited opportunity to translate his PBA promise to the international stage.
Gomez de Liaño, meanwhile, is no stranger to the environment, having trained with the national team during the first window last year, though this camp offers him another chance to stake a stronger claim.
Their arrival also reflects the shifting dynamics within the roster. With overseas-based big men Kai Sotto and Quentin Millora-Brown unavailable due to commitments in the Japan B. League, the Gilas coaching staff is turning to depth, versatility, and hunger from within the local ranks.
Veteran leadership was equally evident during the opening session of the 10-day camp at the Upper Deck Sports Center. Familiar pillars such as June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, Scottie Thompson, RJ Abarrientos, Troy Rosario, and naturalized scorer Justin Brownlee were all in attendance, setting a competitive tone early.
Reinforcements from abroad are expected to complete the picture in the coming days, with Dwight Ramos and AJ Edu arriving from Japan, and Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao flying in from the Korean Basketball League. Once the full core is assembled, Gilas is set to shift to a closed-door training phase at Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna, a familiar setting for fine-tuning rotations and chemistry.
All of this buildup points toward a demanding back-to-back stretch at the Mall of Asia Arena, where Gilas will first take on the New Zealand Tall Blacks on February 26 before facing the Australian Boomers on March 1. The stakes are clear: the Philippines and Australia currently sit atop Group A with identical 2–0 records, while New Zealand and Guam remain winless.
For Baltazar and Gomez de Liaño, the timing could not be better. As Gilas balances experience with emerging talent, this window offers not just crucial games in the standings, but a proving ground for the next wave of national team contributors eager to leave their mark.