Gilas Pilipinas braces for a tough grind in its home stand in the fourth window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers next week.

Coming off four straight losses for a carryover record of 2-4, the Philippines is put in a tight spot where a single misstep could cost its bid for a fourth straight appearance on the world stage.

And it doesn’t get any easier with Gilas taking on Middle Eastern giants Jordan, Iran and Syria, which sports the same slate as the Filipinos.

Gilas battles the Jordanians on 28 August before squaring off with the Iranians on the 30th at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Both Jordan and Iran finished their first round with identical 5-1 slates, giving them, as well as unbeaten Australia (6-0) and New Zealand (4-2), a clearer path to the top four spots for seats in the main draw in Qatar next year.

“I think countries really try to send their best teams to the window since it’s a qualifier for the World Cup. So, we expect their best,” Cone said.

Gilas has been preparing for the FIBA window since Monday at the San Miguel Corporation training facility in Pasig City.

Cone welcomed the return of 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto after a two-year hiatus with the squad.

His presence, along with nine-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, gives Gilas a better fighting chance in the battle underneath.

Gilas has yet to name its final roster for the FIBA window but has added depth with the inclusion of 6-foot-11 big man Geo Chiu, RR Pogoy and CJ Perez, who was left out in the third window road games in New Zealand and Australia last month, in the 20-man pool submitted by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to FIBA.

Overseas-based players Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, AJ Edu and Kevin Quiambao are all expected to make the cut for another tour of duty.

Another veteran, Scottie Thompson, who missed the third window due to a hamstring injury, could also make a return.

Cone is still evaluating his final roster list, which will include naturalized player Justin Brownlee.

Brownlee, the star of the Hangzhou Asiad gold medal-winning Gilas squad three years ago, has yet to attend practice.

He returned to the United States for rehabilitation after sustaining hamstring, knee and leg injuries which forced him to miss the team’s final road game against Australia in the third window on 6 July.

Cone also admitted that his team has a lot to work on after a close 81-76 win over Korean Basketball League club Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in a tune-up match Thursday.

“We won a close game. (But) we didn’t play well,” Cone said.

“But the game gave us a good indication of where we are and how far we have to go to get ready,” he added.

Gilas still has a full week before plunging back into action.

The Philippines is hoping for favorable results this time after suffering back-to-back losses in its second window hosting.

Gilas lost a tight 66-69 decision to New Zealand on 26 February, snapping its back-to-back win streak in a first window sweep of Guam.

The Filipinos then got blown out by Australia, 66-93, on 1 March.