Don’t be surprised if some Gilas players will play limited minutes, if not sit out certain games, when the Philippines in a pocket tournament in Doha.

Gilas is set to fly to Qatar to participate in the 2nd Doha Invitational Cup from 14 to 16 February, serving as part of the team’s buildup for the third window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

However, head coach Tim Cone plans to hold back the playing time of his players particularly those who are coming off injuries and some key starters.

“While we’re playing this thing we’re going to do some load management. In other words, we’re gonna be careful about overextending guys,” Cone said of his team departing for Qatar a day before Valentine’s Day.

Gilas will take on the host team, Egypt and Lebanon in the friendlies.

The decorated mentor wants to preserve his men for the exhausting road games of the Asia Cup qualifiers against Chinese Taipei on 20 February followed by a trip to Auckland, New Zealand to face the Tall Blacks in a much-anticipated rematch on the 23rd.

Cone would also like Gilas stars returning from injuries AJ Edu and Jamie Malonzo to just acclimatize with the team and get a feel of the game.

“Our thought right now is that maybe AJ will play two games of the three in Doha. Things like that,” Cone said.

Naturalized player and workhorse Justin Brownlee will also have his minutes slashed.

“Justin will play limited minutes in one of the games,” Cone added.

Brownlee is averaging almost 30 minutes per game in the first two qualifying windows.

Gilas will return to Manila after the Doha trip for a quick respite before packing up for its flight to Taiwan.

“We’ll try to load manage the guys so they’ll be a little fresh for Taiwan and New Zealand. That will be a part of what we’re looking at,” Cone said.

“Yeah, we want to win every time we get on the floor but we’re gonna be smart with it. It is really a prep time for us instead,” he added.

Already assured of a seat in the Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from 5 to 17 August, Gilas is just looking to develop team chemistry and build momentum heading into the tournament proper.

The Filipinos are unbeaten in four games in Pool B after sweeping the first two windows.

Joining Brownlee, Malonzo and Edu in Doha are Kevin Quiambao, June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, CJ Perez, Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo and Mason Amos.

Veteran forward Japeth Aguilar is skipping the trip due to personal reasons.