Game today:

(Calvo Fieldhouse)

5 p.m. — Guam vs Philippines

Gilas Pilipinas knows how the home crowd could make a host team even more dangerous during a homestand.

Being the visiting side, the Filipinos are in for a battle in hostile territory when they take on Guam in the first of the home-and-away opening window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers today at the Calvo Fieldhouse in Yigo Village.

Gilas coach Tim Cone views the 5 p.m. match as a make-or-break game that will have significant implications in Gilas’ aspirations for a fourth consecutive appearance on the world stage.

Although all advantages in terms of depth and firepower point toward the world No. 37 Gilas direction, Cone warns that taking Guam lightly will be a fatal mistake.

“They’re a tempo team. They slow the game down. They really play inside to out,” Cone said.

He also considers the factor of Guam holding the homecourt advantage.

“So yeah, you know, and also when you’re playing at home, it’s a whole different ballgame... when you’re playing at home. You know, players play differently in front of their home crowd, in their home court. It’s a completely different thing,” Cone added.

“And that’s what we’re going to have to overcome.”

The 81st-ranked Guam is not a pushover team, with the likes of San Miguel Beer guard Jericho Cruz, who is familiar with Cone and Gilas’ system, and seasoned players Tai Wesley, Jonathan Galloway and long-range bomber Gabriel Simon leading the way.

“Oh yeah, they got Wesley, who’s a 6’7, 6’8 post guy who has an amazing, I haven’t seen footwork like his since former Alaska import and now Gilas deputy Sean Chambers. I mean, he has tremendous footwork at the post. Every team he played during the Asia Cup he gave them problems, too. He can take anybody one-on-one at the post. So, you know, he’s a huge threat,” Cone said.

“You got Galloway who’s a 6’10”, jumping bean. He jumps out of the gym. He’s super athletic. And then you got Simon, who’s a lights-out three-point shooter.”

Gilas has already identified the Guam weapons to watch out for. It’s now up to Cone’s wards to execute their game plan and secure an important win before they head back to Manila for the rematch.

“Home court means something. And that’s why this Friday’s game is really crucial to us,” Cone said.

“We’ve got to come with our best foot forward. We can’t take anything for granted with them being at home in front of their home crowd.”

The decorated mentor will bank on a core of grizzled Gilas holdovers but also has high expectations for newcomer 6-foot-10 former University of the Philippines star Quentin Millora-Brown, especially with 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto still recovering from a knee injury.

“He’s a tremendous rebounder. He’s a tremendous weak-side rebounder or off-ball rebounder, where he’s going to play off the ball from June Mar (Fajardo). And he’s going to be able to clean up all the weak-side rebounds,” Cone said.

“He just plays with that kind of effort. And he has a nose for the ball. And he’s big. I mean, he’s big and he’s athletic. And he can surprise you with some of the things he does.”

Also ready for Gilas’ tour of duty are Justin Brownlee, Japeth Aguilar, June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Scottie Thompson, Dwight Ramos, Kevin Quiambao, AJ Edu, Carl Tamayo, Chris Newsome and RJ Abarrientos.

Gilas will host the second match on Monday, tipping off at 7:30 p.m., at the Blue Eagle Gym inside the Ateneo de Manila University.