It’s back to business for Gilas Pilipinas, with the national squad returning to training less than two weeks before a punishing stretch in the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
After a two-month break, team members regrouped Monday at the Upper Deck Sports Center to kick off preparations for consecutive games against the two traditional heavyweights of Group A. The buildup, however, begins with an incomplete roster as several overseas-based players are still wrapping up club commitments abroad.
Set to arrive later this week are Japan B. League standouts AJ Edu, Dwight Ramos, and Quentin Millora-Brown, along with Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao from the Korean Basketball League. One notable absence is young center Kai Sotto, who will miss the window after being advised to continue strengthening and rehabilitation following a previous ACL injury, despite having returned to action with the Koshigaya Alphas.
For now, head coach Tim Cone is making do with an all-PBA lineup to set the tone early. Leading the initial practices are June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Calvin Oftana, Chris Newsome, Scottie Thompson, RJ Abarrientos, and naturalized veteran Justin Brownlee.
Gilas enters the window brimming with confidence, sharing the early Group A lead with Australia after dominant wins over Guam in their opening assignments. But momentum will be tested immediately as the Filipinos brace for their stiffest challenge yet.
The national team hosts the Australia Boomers on February 26 before facing the New Zealand Tall Blacks on March 1, with both games set at the Mall of Asia Arena.
With New Zealand and Guam still winless at 0-2, the upcoming back-to-back fixtures could shape the early hierarchy of Group A—and determine whether Gilas can hold its ground against Asia-Pacific’s elite.