The Blue Eagle Gym inside the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Quezon City has been chosen to host the first window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.

Coached by Tim Cone with Justin Brownlee as naturalized player, Gilas Pilipinas will battle Jericho Cruz and Guam on the road on 28 November before clashing at the historic Blue Eagle Gym on 1 December.

It’s going to be the first time for the 7,000-seater facility to host an international event since being inaugurated in 1949. It, however, had previously hosted matches of the Philippine Basketball Association and the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association with the Manila Metrostars using it as its homecourt.

But its most popular tenant was the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, which recently made its return after 20 years featuring the Ateneo and University of Santo Tomas in a battle that ended in triple overtime.

Expected to see action for Gilas against Guam are former Ateneo stars Ange Kouame, Chris Newsome and Japeth Aguilar as well as Scottie Thompson, RJ Abarrientos, Calvin Oftana, June Mar Fajardo, Jamie Malonzo and Quentin Millora-Brown.

One-time Ateneo players CJ Perez, AJ Edu, and Dwight Ramos are also part of the Gilas pool together with Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao.