Gilas Pilipinas is once again embarking on a challenging yet exhilarating path, meticulously preparing for not just one, but two crucial international assignments: The 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and the daunting 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
The journey is long, the stakes are high, and the passion burns brighter than ever.
Decorated head coach Tim Cone, with the full backing of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the Philippine Basketball Association and all local cage stakeholders, is leaving no stone unturned in making sure Gilas will be on top of its game come the Asia Cup main draw from 5 to 17 August.
Cone is already setting the wheels in motion, with an initial virtual huddle with the Gilas pool penciled for this week. This isn’t just a casual meet-and-greet; it’s a vital strategic session where the blueprint for success will be laid out.
Practice schedules, logistical intricacies, and the overarching itinerary leading up to the Asia Cup joust against familiar foes in Chinese Taipei and New Zealand and an untested but still dangerous Iraq in Group D, will be meticulously dissected.
“We’ll go over the practice schedule. We’re trying to get some Monday practices before we actually come together. We will start sometime during the (PBA) finals,” Cone revealed, his voice brimming with his trademark calm yet determined resolve.
The grand design, as envisioned by Cone, is ambitious yet achievable. He aims for a robust 18 practice sessions for the national team’s comprehensive build-up.
Gilas will open its training camp in the sprawling facilities in Clark, Pampanga, a strategic choice that offers an ideal environment for focused preparation away from the distractions of the metropolis. This pre-departure camp is expected to be an intense affair, with the possibility of grueling twice-a-day practices and a friendly with the Macau Bears.
But the pre-Asia Cup tune-ups don’t stop there.
Upon arrival in Jeddah, Gilas is actively seeking another exhibition match against one of the participating countries, a chance to gauge their readiness against international opposition before the tournament proper kicks off.
“So we’re hoping to have 18 practices that includes friendlies, before we actually get into the first game proper on August 5,” Cone said.
Reeling from back-to-back losses to the Taiwanese and the Tall Blacks in the third and last window of the tourney’s qualifier, the Cone expects Gilas to be better prepared this time.
“Again, we’ve lost back-to-back games to two of those guys already. So, obviously, we have to be better,” Cone said referring to the blowout road losses Gilas suffered last February.
Gilas swept its first four games in the initial two windows of the qualifiers including a 106-53 crushing of the Taiwanese and a 93-89 upset of the Tall Blacks in its home turf.
However, the Filipinos sans injured center Kai Sotto were beaten by an overhauled Chinese Taipei side, 84-91, and the Tall Blacks, 70-87, in their second meetings.
“I think it’s reasonable to think that now we know Taiwan and now that we know New Zealand, we played them a couple of times. I think it’s reasonable for us to think that we can play them better this time around,” Cone said.
“That’s gonna be our goal, playing better than we did last time, that’s for sure. We’ll be ready.”
The opening salvo for the Filipinos will be against Chinese Taipei on 6 August at the King Abdullah Sports City, a crucial encounter to set the tone for their campaign.
Two days later, the formidable Kiwis await, a perennial powerhouse that will undoubtedly test Gilas’ mettle.
The group stage concludes on 10 August against Iraq, a team that Gilas will look to dominate to secure a strong position.
The top three teams in each of the groups will advance into the next round with the top squad earning an outright quarterfinals seat. The second and third-ranked teams will battle in the knockout playoffs for a place in the quarterfinals.
“We have to finish in the Top 2 or at least the highest quotient in the third place to advance. But the goal is to sweep that and it’s gonna be hard because it’s against New Zealand,” Cone said.
Cone also hopes for a strong Gilas showing as the Asia Cup will also serve as a vital stepping stone, a crucial opportunity to build chemistry, refine systems, and gain valuable international experience for the more formidable challenge ahead: the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Gilas is looking to enter the main draw in Qatar slated from 27 August to 12 September 2027 for a possible fourth straight World Cup appearance.
The Filipinos are bunched with familiar foes Australia and New Zealand in the double round-robin, home-and-away format group stage, which will open this November.
Gilas has been drawn in Group A with the Boomers and Tall Blacks and Guam.
The Nationals open the first window in Guam on 28 November before hosting the Pacific islanders on 1 December at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
On 28 February 2026, Gilas will host New Zealand before meeting Australia on 1 March on home soil. The final window will see Gilas visiting New Zealand (3 July) and Australia (6 July).
The road to the World Cup is arduous, paved with tough battles and demanding schedules. The lessons learned and the bonds forged in Jeddah will serve as the bedrock for the long and winding journey towards basketball’s grandest stage.