Gilas gets taste of Aussie action ahead of WC qualifiers

Regardless of what happens, Gilas Pilipinas has a lot to gain facing powerhouse Australia in the quarterfinal of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup.

If the Filipinos claim the scalp of the three-peat-seeking Aussies, they’ll advance in the Final Four of the prestigious continental basketball tilt for the first time in 10 years and will have an extended stay in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

A loss, albeit painful, will still benefit Gilas and head coach Tim Cone in their pursuit of claiming a seat in the biggest international basketball stage outside of the Olympics -- the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Doha.

Gilas tests its mettle against the Australians ahead of the World Cup Asian Qualifiers in the Asia Cup Last Eight being played at press time at the King Abdullah Sports City.

And for sure, Cone and the rest of his think-tank will be taking down important notes dealing with the Aussies.

Coming in as underdogs with the possibility of playing with a 10-man roster after Calvin Oftana and CJ Perez sustained ankle injuries during their quarters chase, the Filipinos face a daunting task taking down the Boomers.

Although Gilas would need to play perfect basketball to pull off the competition’s biggest upset over the world No. 7-ranked Australians, Cone doesn’t want to put heavy pressure on his team.

“I don't think we have to do anything special. We just got to come out and play our best game, and if we do that, we're going to give ourselves a shot,” he said.

If the chance doesn’t come, Gilas will at least get a feel of the same team it will face in the World Cup Asian Qualifiers, which will begin in November.

The Philippines is bunched in Group A with Australia, along with familiar rival New Zealand and Guam, playing a double round robin home-and-away format.

Gilas will meet the Boomers on 1 March 2026 and then again on 6 July.