Gilas Pilipinas added more size with the inclusion of Terrafima center Geo Chiu to its pool lineup for the fourth window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers late this month.

After the confirmation of 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto’s return for the tricolors, head coach Tim Cone will have another young big man to help Gilas in the national team’s bid to secure a fourth straight World Cup appearance.

The 6-foot-11 Chiu brings in another muscle underneath to help Sotto and veteran June Mar Fajardo, which deepens the frontline of Gilas going up against Middle Eastern Giants Jordan, Iran and Syria.

Chiu, who was the top overall pick in the 2025 Philippine Basketball Association Draft, if chosen in the final roster, will plays his first Gilas tour of duty in three years.

He suited up for Gilas four years ago for the 2023 World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Chiu played two games in 2022, averaging 3.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists for the Philippine team handled by Nenad Vucinic.

Chui is one of the two additions in the 20-man pool submitted by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to FIBA for the crucial second round of the World Cup qualifier.

TNT’s RR Pogoy is also in the list along with San Miguel Beer’s CJ Perez.

Perez was left out in the third window last month where Gilas suffered stinging losses to New Zealand and Australia on the road.

Gilas will host Jordan on 28 August before taking on Iran on the 30th at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Filipinos are in a must-win situation after losing four straight games, with a carryover record of 2-4, tied with Syria.

Naturalized Justin Brownlee leads the Gilas pool along with other holdovers Chris Newsome, Troy Rosario, RJ Abarrientos and overseas-based youngbloods Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, Kevin Quiambao and AJ Edu.

The top 12 teams after the first round were equally divided into two groups. Each team faces the squads it has not played in the first round twice.

Lebanon (5-1), Japan (4-2), Qatar (4-2), Saudi Arabia (3-3), South Korea (3-3) and China (3-3) are in Group F.

The top four teams in each group will earn seats to the 27 August to 12 September World Cup.