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Gilas Pilipinas begins its campaign to defend the men’s basketball gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games with a significantly different lineup from the team that ended the country’s 61-year title drought in Hangzhou.

The Philippines opens its title defense against Bahrain on September 11 in Nagoya, Japan, beginning a challenging tournament that will test whether the new-look national team can once again rise to the occasion on the Asian stage.

The men’s basketball competition will be held from September 10 to 20, ahead of the official Asian Games opening ceremony, with the 5-on-5 tournament taking place at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya.

Coach Tim Cone is building the 2026 squad primarily around players from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) after several regular Gilas players based in Japan and South Korea became unavailable because the Asian Games falls outside the regular FIBA competition calendar.

That has left the Philippines with a roster that looks markedly different from the squad that won gold in Hangzhou in 2023.

A very different Gilas team

The Philippines will enter the tournament without several key players who have been part of its recent international campaigns.

Among those unavailable are Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo, while veteran center June Mar Fajardo has already retired from international basketball.

Cone has confirmed that RJ Abarrientos, Justin Arana and Justin Baltazar will be part of the Asian Games team, while players such as Robert Bolick and Adrian Nocum are among the prominent candidates for the final 12-man lineup.

The final roster, however, remained subject to confirmation as of September 1.

The changes mean Cone will have to build a team around a different mix of size, athleticism and offensive firepower.

With a smaller lineup compared with previous Gilas squads, the coach is expected to emphasize speed, quickness and an up-tempo style of basketball.

The approach could allow the Philippines to maximize its athleticism, but it also presents challenges against teams capable of exploiting Gilas’ lack of size in the frontcourt.

Brownlee remains the biggest question

Perhaps the most important unresolved issue surrounding the team is the availability of Justin Brownlee.

The veteran naturalized player played a pivotal role in Gilas’ historic 2023 Asian Games campaign, but his participation in Nagoya has yet to be confirmed.

Cone said the Philippines has reserved a roster spot for Brownlee, leaving the door open for his return if he is healthy enough to compete.

Brownlee had been dealing with leg, hamstring and knee problems and missed Gilas’ recent FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers games against Jordan and Iran.

His importance to the team is difficult to overstate.

In the 2023 Asian Games semifinals, Brownlee erupted for 33 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter, as the Philippines overcame a 20-point deficit to stun host China, 77-76.

He followed that performance with 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals in the championship game against Jordan as Gilas won 70-60 and captured the gold medal.

If Brownlee is healthy and commits to the team, his experience and scoring ability could provide a major boost to an otherwise revamped lineup.

No Kai Sotto, no June Mar Fajardo

The absence of Kai Sotto is another significant change.

Cone confirmed that Sotto would participate in the August FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers but would not be part of the Asian Games squad.

No specific reason was given for Sotto’s absence.

The 7-foot-3 center had recently returned from a lengthy injury layoff and helped Gilas defeat Jordan and Iran in the World Cup qualifiers, averaging 15.5 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and one block across the two victories.

Sotto is currently unsigned after his contract in Japan expired, while his basketball future remained uncertain as he awaited developments regarding his eligibility to play in the US NCAA.

Meanwhile, Fajardo has officially ended his Gilas career.

The 36-year-old center retired from international basketball after more than a decade representing the Philippines, including three FIBA World Cup appearances and the historic Asian Games championship in 2023.

Overseas commitments reshape the roster

The absence of several other Gilas regulars is largely tied to the timing of the Asian Games.

Dwight Ramos and AJ Edu play in Japan, while Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo are based in South Korea. Because the Asian Games is outside the regular FIBA competition calendar, securing the release of overseas players becomes more difficult.

That prompted Cone and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to construct a separate team largely composed of PBA players.

It is a situation that creates both uncertainty and opportunity.

The new lineup may lack the familiarity and international experience of the 2023 champions, but it also gives a new generation of PBA standouts an opportunity to establish themselves on the Asian stage.

Boatwright unavailable

Another potential option has also been removed from consideration.

Bennie Boatwright will not play for Gilas in Nagoya because his naturalization and Philippine passport requirements were not completed in time.

Cone had identified Boatwright as a possible naturalized-player option, but with the passport unavailable before the tournament, Brownlee remains the preferred choice if he is healthy and willing to return.

A familiar opponent awaits

Gilas has been drawn into Group C alongside China, Bahrain and Kazakhstan.

The Philippines opens against Bahrain on September 11 before facing Kazakhstan the following day.

The group-stage schedule then culminates in a highly anticipated meeting with China on September 14.

The matchup carries plenty of history.

Three years ago in Hangzhou, Gilas stunned the host nation with one of the most memorable comebacks in Philippine basketball history.

The Philippines trailed China by 20 points before Brownlee and the Nationals completed the comeback for a dramatic 77-76 victory.

Now, the two teams meet again—this time in the group stage.

The circumstances, however, are very different.

The Philippines is defending the title with a largely new squad, while China will be eager to erase the memory of its painful semifinal defeat on home soil.

The road to another gold medal

After the group stage, the quarterfinals are scheduled for September 16, followed by the semifinals on September 18.

The medal games are set for September 20, with the bronze-medal game scheduled at 3:40 p.m. Philippine time and the gold-medal game at 6:40 p.m.

Gilas’ exact quarterfinal and semifinal schedules will depend on its group-stage finish and subsequent tournament results.

Gilas Pilipinas Asian Games schedule

September 11 — vs. Bahrain, 12 noon Philippine time

September 12 — vs. Kazakhstan, 6 p.m.

September 14 — vs. China, 12 noon

September 16 — Quarterfinals

September 18 — Semifinals

September 20 — Bronze-medal game or gold-medal game

Japan is one hour ahead of the Philippines, with the schedule above converted to Philippine time.

Can Gilas defend the crown?

The Philippines enters Nagoya as the reigning Asian Games champion, but repeating that achievement will be far from straightforward.

The team that conquered Hangzhou three years ago featured Brownlee, Fajardo and several established national-team stars. The 2026 squad, meanwhile, will be asked to succeed without many of those familiar faces.

The final roster and Brownlee’s availability could significantly affect Gilas’ chances.

Still, the mission remains unchanged.

Win gold.

The Philippines ended a 61-year wait for the Asian Games basketball championship in 2023. Now, a new-look Gilas team must prove that the victory in Hangzhou was not simply a one-time breakthrough.

For Cone and his players, the challenge is clear: adapt quickly, embrace the pressure and keep the gold in Philippine hands.

The title defense begins September 11.

Different players. Different circumstances. Same dream.

Scottie Thompson made the mistake that everyone saw.

But apparently, some fans also missed everything else he did.

The Gilas Pilipinas veteran became an easy target after committing a crucial five-second inbound violation with seven seconds left in the Philippines’ thrilling 82-81 win over Jordan. The error gave Jordan one final chance to steal the game—only for Kai Sotto to come up with the game-saving block.

The mistake was real. The criticism is understandable.

But reducing Thompson’s entire performance to one turnover? That’s where the criticism misses the bigger picture.

Head coach Tim Cone knows exactly what Thompson brings, and it goes far beyond scoring.

He rebounded. He chased loose balls. He defended Jordan’s best guards, including Jalen Harris and Freddy Ybrahim. More importantly, his presence helped settle Gilas after the team fell behind by a staggering 18 points, 26-8, in the first quarter.

Thompson finished with a +13 efficiency, another indication of the impact that doesn't always appear in the traditional box score.

As Cone put it, people tend to dismiss the “Scottie things”—the dirty work, the defense, the rebounds and the little plays that help a team win.

And that may be the biggest misunderstanding about Thompson.

He doesn't have to be the star to be important.

Basketball isn't always about who scores the most. Sometimes, it's about who does the jobs nobody else wants to do.

So yes, criticize the five-second violation.

But don't let one mistake erase everything Scottie Thompson contributed to the comeback.

Gilas didn't need another scorer that night. It needed a worker. And Scottie did what Scottie does.

Gilas Pilipinas is proving that this team is not one that folds when the pressure rises.

The Nationals overcame another double-digit deficit and stormed back to beat Iran, 68-56, on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena, securing their second straight victory in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

It was far from a perfect performance, but that may be exactly what makes the win more impressive.

After escaping Jordan in an overtime thriller, 82-81, last Friday, Gilas once again found itself in trouble early. Instead of panicking, however, the Filipinos responded with the kind of defensive intensity and composure that ultimately turned the game around.

The victory gives Gilas its fourth win in eight games in Group E and, more importantly, another confidence boost heading deeper into the qualifying campaign.

Two games, two comebacks, two statement wins.

Gilas may still have plenty to fix, but one thing is becoming increasingly clear: this team has learned how to fight back.

And when the Philippines plays with that kind of heart and hustle, no lead feels completely safe against Gilas.

The comeback kings are making noise again. 🇵🇭🏀🔥

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone is hoping to have naturalized player Justin Brownlee back in action in time for the start of the team’s training camp next week as preparations ramp up for the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

The national team will begin camp on November 17 at the Inspire Sports Academy, aiming to build chemistry and conditioning ahead of the first window of the qualifiers, which begins on November 28.

Cone expressed optimism that the team will be complete by then, including Brownlee, who has been “missing in action” recently amid reports of pneumonia, causing him to miss Meralco’s recent East Asia Super League games.

Neither Brownlee nor the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has issued an official statement regarding his condition.

Despite this, Cone remains focused on ensuring Gilas is fully prepared before facing Guam on November 28 at the Calvo Field House in Guam, followed by a rematch on December 1 at the Blue Eagle Gym in Ateneo.

Meanwhile, Kai Sotto will remain sidelined as he continues rehabilitation from an ACL injury earlier this year. His spot in the lineup will be filled by Quentin Milora-Brown, who has been cleared by FIBA to play as a local.

“We just want to get going and make sure everyone’s ready,” Cone said, emphasizing the importance of starting camp strong to maintain Gilas’ momentum heading into the qualifiers.

Gilas Pilipinas’ naturalized star Justin Brownlee will be sidelined from the team’s upcoming basketball games as he recovers from pneumonia, team officials confirmed.

Brownlee, a key contributor in recent international campaigns, is currently undergoing medical treatment and observation. According to the Gilas medical team, his health remains the top priority, and he will return to action only once fully cleared by doctors.

Meralco Bolts head coach Luigi Trillo noted, “We’re waiting for Justin, he is our naturalized (player) so he’s an option to play. He would be a big help if he was here.”

The development comes as Gilas prepares for the next phase of training and competitions, with head coach Tim Cone emphasizing that Brownlee’s recovery takes precedence over the schedule.

“Justin’s health is our main concern. We want him to get back to 100% before stepping on the court again,” said Cone.

Former PBA star Ronald “The Saint” Tubid notched his first win as head coach of the Terrafirma Dyip in the ongoing PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, marking a promising debut for his coaching career.

Tubid, celebrated for his energy and leadership on the court, guided the Dyip to a hard-fought victory—their first with him at the helm. The team displayed renewed confidence and chemistry, reflecting Tubid’s emphasis on discipline, teamwork, and player development.

“This win means a lot—not just for me, but for the whole team,” Tubid shared after the game. “It’s all about building trust, working hard, and believing that we can compete with anyone.”

'Yung team na ito fast-tracked, eh. 'Yung preparation namin, like, almost a month lang. So tinitiyaga namin. Kung saan kami strong doon lang kami. Saka ipinapaalala lang namin sa mga bata na as long as we compete may chance na manalo talaga."

"Yung mga bata are so excited. They know na kaya nila. Sabi naming mga coaches... although we are undersized, as long as we compete may tsansa tayong manalo," said Tubid, adding the team continuous to be a work in progress.

"Siguro balik kami sa video, correct naming lahat. We all know this is a very young team, us coaches also," admitted the former nine-time champion player.

The victory gives Terrafirma a morale boost and sets a positive tone as they aim for a playoff push this season. Tubid, a two-time PBA champion and former Gilas Pilipinas standout, took over earlier this year and is determined to lead the Dyip to greater heights.

With their first win secured, Terrafirma looks to keep the momentum rolling as their PBA Season 50 journey continues.

A major transition is underway for Gilas Pilipinas as veteran big man Japeth Aguilar nears the end of his storied international career, making way for the arrival of Quentin Millora-Brown.

Head coach Tim Cone confirmed that Millora-Brown—a 6-foot-10 former US NCAA Division I player with a brief stint at the University of the Philippines—has been officially cleared by FIBA to represent the Philippines as a local, after a successful appeal by his legal team. This means he joins Gilas without affecting the naturalized player quota, fulfilling his long-held dream of donning the national colors.

Millora-Brown’s addition bolsters an emerging frontline that now includes AJ Edu (6’10”) and Kai Sotto (7'3”), alongside veteran June Mar Fajardo (6'10”). Cone expressed excitement about the future, envisioning a formidable trio of Millora-Brown, Sotto, and Edu anchoring Gilas for years to come.

Japeth Aguilar, 38, has answered the call for the national team since 2009 and was coaxed out of retirement for the latest campaign after Kai Sotto’s injury.

“Japeth is a warrior. He’s stepped up for the country time and time again,” Cone said, expressing admiration for the veteran’s dedication.

With Millora-Brown’s skillset and basketball IQ, Cone believes he will seamlessly fit into Gilas’ triangle offense, the same system Cone runs at Barangay Ginebra. “He’ll fit well within our triangle system and will enjoy playing that role,” Cone noted.

As Aguilar’s era winds down, Gilas Pilipinas enters a new chapter—led by a young, athletic frontcourt trio ready to carry the nation’s basketball hopes onto the international stage.

Gilas Pilipinas’ FIBA Asia Cup 2025 campaign ended in the quarterfinals as Australia showcased its world-class talent, cruising to an 84-60 win on Wednesday night, August 13.

The Boomers came out firing, draining seven three-pointers in the opening quarter—including three from Jaylin Galloway—to take a commanding 29-12 lead. 

From there, the two-time defending champions maintained control, never allowing Gilas to mount a sustained comeback.

Despite the early deficit, Gilas fought valiantly with Dwight Ramos and Kevin Quiambao leading multiple rallies. However, each surge was quickly answered by Australia’s potent offense, which mixed deadly perimeter shooting with strong inside play.

“We made too many mistakes. Australia is one of the top teams in the world. If we want to compete with them, we need to be sharper in execution and preparation. But I think it will come in time,” Ramos admitted. 

The loss marked the end of a gritty run for Gilas, who reached the quarterfinals despite injuries, chemistry challenges, and inconsistency.

Still undefeated, world No. 7 Australia advanced to the semifinals and will face the winner of Iran versus Chinese Taipei. The game also marked the first official meeting between the Philippines and Australia since their infamous 2018 brawl, with both sides showing cooler heads this time.

With this experience, Gilas gains valuable lessons and a clearer sense of what it takes to compete with Asia’s best—especially as they prepare for another showdown with Australia in the upcoming FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Gilas Pilipinas head coach, Tim Cone gave some insights after the game and realized that their opponent is very superior in terms of athleticism and length, although they were trying to keep the pace slower, but they (Gilas) didn’t have the discipline to stick to that game plan. 

"The Australian athleticism and length, even though you see it on video, you realize that they are superior. We just had a hard time staying in front of them and challenging their threes, so they got up their shots quickly." We were trying to keep it at a slower pace, but we didn't have the discipline to do that," Cone stated.

"We really liked our time together. I like the way we play, I like the togetherness, they are all easy to coach, but I didn't like our performance tonight. I didn't think we stepped up as much as we wanted to," he added.

After a rollercoaster ride through the group stage, Gilas Pilipinas finds itself facing one of the biggest challenges of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup: a quarterfinal clash with powerhouse Australia.

Gilas' path to this do-or-die matchup was anything but smooth. Early losses to Chinese-Taipei and New Zealand pushed the team into a tough bracket. That left them with no choice but to face the tournament’s top seed far earlier than hoped.

But if there’s one thing head coach Tim Cone has learned, it’s that this team knows how to rise when it matters most.

“Australia is pretty much the No. 1 seed in the tournament, and for us to beat them it would be an upset,”  Cone admitted.

“But beating Iraq, and the way we won over Saudi Arabia, has given us some momentum. Hopefully, we can carry that into the Australia game.” he added.

That thrilling 95–88 overtime victory against Saudi Arabia — punctuated by a clutch game-tying three from Justin Brownlee with 3.7 seconds left — kept Gilas' hopes alive. Kevin Quiambao also made a strong case for a permanent spot in the rotation. He scored 17 points and hit two big threes in extra time.

Australia, winners of the last two Asia Cup tournaments (2017, 2022), have yet to drop a game in the continental competition. They swept Group A with dominant wins over South Korea, Lebanon, and Qatar. The team was powered by the stellar play of Jaylin Galloway (18 PPG, 3 RPG, 2.3 SPG).

Gilas knows what’s at stake — and who stands in their way.

“Losing the first two games of the tournament got us here. But we figured that if we’re going to do something special, we have to go through Australia at some point. And now that it’s here in front of us, we’re gonna do our best to get at them. We didn’t expect to play them this early,” Cone stated.

This quarterfinal isn’t just a battle for a semifinal berth — it’s also the first meeting between Gilas and Australia since the infamous bench-clearing brawl in 2018 at the Philippine Arena during the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

That incident drew global attention and led to heavy sanctions for both teams, leaving a dark mark on their history. But both federations have since moved forward.

“That was in the past. We understand that and we have learned from that. We just play basketball and that’s what we have to focus on.” said SBP President Al Panlilio.

Panlilio also noted that relations between the SBP and Basketball Australia have since improved, with the Aussies even expressing excitement over hosting Gilas later this year in the World Cup Qualifiers.

Gilas enters Wednesday’s 7 PM (Philippine time) showdown as heavy underdogs, but if there’s one thing this team has shown, it’s their ability to thrive under pressure. With momentum on their side, Gilas is determined to shock the world. 

Gilas Pilipinas put up a valiant fight but ultimately fell to New Zealand, 94-86, early Friday morning (Manila time) at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Justin Brownlee led the charge with 37 points, but a missed free throw in the final minute and a late-game surge by the Tall Blacks dashed the Nationals’ hopes of a comeback. Gilas erased an 18-point deficit and closed the gap to three, 85-82, with under four minutes remaining, but crucial turnovers and clutch plays by Taylor Britt sealed the win for New Zealand.

Dwight Ramos contributed 19 points, while June Mar Fajardo chipped in 11 points and four rebounds. Jordan Ngatai paced New Zealand with 22 points—19 coming in a hot-shooting first half.

Despite back-to-back losses, Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone remains optimistic as the team faces a do-or-die game in the 31st FIBA Asia Cup.

After suffering their second straight defeat—this time to New Zealand—Cone acknowledged the tough situation the team is in, one few could have predicted. 

Gilas must now win against Iraq on Saturday to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive, as both teams are winless so far. Iraq also dropped their second game to Chinese Taipei, 87-60.

“We’re disappointed, but the tournament is not over for us. We have a big game against Iraq coming up and we’ll see if we can get into the next round,” Cone said. 

A loss to Iraq would mean an early exit for world No. 34 Gilas Pilipinas, but Cone remains confident. 

“We just need to keep battling, keep our heads up, and move forward. We can’t dwell on these last two losses—there’s still more to do, and we’ll be ready for our next game,” he stressed.

Gilas drops to 0-2 in group play but still has a chance to keep its quarterfinal hopes alive with a must-win game against Iraq on Saturday at 4 p.m. (Manila time).

Gilas Pilipinas suffered a tough defeat in their 2025 FIBA Asia Cup opener, falling to Chinese Taipei, 95–87, on Wednesday morning, August 6 (Manila time), at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The loss leaves the Philippines with a 0–1 record in Group D, matching Iraq, while Chinese Taipei and New Zealand both hold early wins in the group standings.

Justin Brownlee led Gilas with 19 points, seven rebounds, and two assists but fouled out midway through the fourth quarter, hampering the team’s comeback hopes. Kevin Quiambao provided a spark off the bench with 17 points (3-of-6 from three), four rebounds, and two assists, while Dwight Ramos and Scottie Thompson chipped in 16 points each.

A slow start proved costly for the Nationals, as poor defense and turnovers allowed Chinese Taipei to rack up 27 points in the opening period and forced Gilas to play catch-up throughout.

“Obviously, we didn’t play a very good game. We were outcoached, and it was a disappointing one on my part,” said Gilas Coach Tim Cone.

Gilas trimmed a 17-point deficit to within two possessions several times in the second half, but Chinese Taipei’s hot shooting—especially from Ying-Chun Chen, who poured in 34 points and six three-pointers—kept the Philippines at bay. Brownlee’s early exit with over four minutes left only added to the team’s woes.

The Philippines struggled with fouls, committing 26 and sending Taiwan to the line for 35 free throws (making 27, 77.1%). Despite a 48–24 rebounding edge, Gilas couldn’t capitalize.

With a quick turnaround, the team now shifts focus to its next game against New Zealand on Thursday, August 7, at 11:00 p.m.

Cone emphasized: “There is only one thing we can do at this point, and that is move on. We’ve got New Zealand coming in two days, so we gotta get ready for them.”

The Scores:

Chinese Taipei 95 – Chen Y.C. 34, Gilbeck 16, R. Hinton 14, Lin 14, Gadiaga 5, A. Hinton 4, Tseng 4, Ma 3, Hu 1, Liu 0, Gao 0, Chen K.C. 0.

Gilas Pilipinas 87 – Brownlee 19, Quiambao 17, Thompson 16, Ramos 16, Edu 8, Oftana 6, Newsome 3, Fajardo 2, Perez 0, Aguilar 0, Tamayo 0.

Kevin Quiambao has returned to the Gilas Pilipinas lineup after spending a month in the United States pursuing his NBA aspirations. The former UAAP MVP was back at national team practice at The Upper Deck in Pasig City this Monday, July 21, as Gilas ramps up preparations for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup.

Quiambao trained in Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas throughout July. Although he didn’t secure a spot in the NBA Summer League, he participated in a private scrimmage organized by Excel Sports Management, attended by NBA scouts and executives.

Now in peak condition, Quiambao wasted no time rejoining Gilas as the squad continues its buildup for the continental tournament in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 5-17.

Joining Quiambao in the latest practice were Justin Brownlee, Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, AJ Edu, Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, Troy Rosario, RJ Abarrientos, Chris Newsome, and Jamie Malonzo.

June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, and Calvin Oftana are expected to return to training after the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, where San Miguel currently holds a 3-1 lead over TNT.

Strong Group Athletics-Philippines capped off a flawless 8-0 run at the William Jones Cup, clinching an emphatic 87-62 victory over the United Arab Emirates on Sunday at Xinzhuang Gymnasium.

With the title already secured ahead of the final game, the Filipinos left no doubt, sealing back-to-back championships and the country’s eighth overall Jones Cup crown.

“We’re happy to win another championship. We never take anything for granted, now a two-time Jones Cup champion with Strong Group. “Our bosses go all out to support us every time we represent the country.” said coach Charles Tiu.

UAE kept things close in the first half, trailing by just one at the break, 37-36. But Strong Group broke the game open in the third quarter behind a surge from Tajuan Agee and Allen Liwag. Kiefer Ravena and Dave Ildefonso delivered big shots in the fourth to put the game away.

Agee paced the team with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Ravena contributed 13 points and 9 assists, while DJ Fenner and Ian Miller scored 12 each. Ildefonso added 10 points. Andre Roberson, who starred throughout the tournament, sat out the finale.

The Filipinos dominated the second half, outscoring UAE 50-26, and extended their unbeaten streak to 16 games over the last two Jones Cup editions. Their run included wins over top teams like Chinese-Taipei Blue, Japan Developmental, Qatar, Australia’s NBL1 Rising Stars, Malaysia, and Bahrain.

Coach Tiu praised his squad’s chemistry and commitment: “It’s special because I don’t know if we’ll have this group again. But these guys were willing to sacrifice—something that’s very rare.”

For the first time in history, the Gilas Pilipinas Women are poised to chase a spot in the FIBA Women’s World Cup.

The Filipinas clinched a berth in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying tournament after narrowly defeating Lebanon, 73-70, during the group stage of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup on Wednesday, July 16, at the Shenzhen Sports Center in Shenzhen, China.

This crucial win propelled the Philippines into the quarterfinals of the Women’s Asia Cup and guaranteed them an automatic place in the World Cup qualifiers, courtesy of a secured top-six finish in the tournament.

“This win represents everything that we’ve been working hard for in the last 10 years or so. We’re glad to be competing and not just staying in Division A, but we still have to improve and we hope we level up again soon,” said Gilas Women’s head coach Pat Aquino.

Five Gilas players scored in double figures in the hard-fought victory, led by Naomi Panganiban’s 15 points, highlighted by two clutch free throws with just 8.3 seconds left.

Sumayah Sugapong iced two crucial free throws at the 2:18 mark in the fourth quarter to give the Philippines a 71-66 lead, but Lebanon clawed back, trimming the deficit to just 71-69 with 1:15 to play. After Sugapong missed a potential game-sealing three, Lebanon’s Jillian Archer split her free throws, making it 71-70 with under a minute remaining.

Panganiban then calmly knocked down her pressure-packed free throws to stretch the lead to 73-70, and Lebanon failed to attempt a game-tying three as time expired.

Sugapong and Jack Animam each added 14 points for Gilas, with Animam also hauling down a game-high 16 rebounds. Vanessa de Jesus chipped in 13 points, while Kacey dela Rosa contributed 10, helping the team withstand blowing a 17-point first-quarter lead.

The Philippines overcame a stellar performance from Archer, who tallied a game-high 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting and 10 rebounds for Lebanon.

Gilas Women finished third in Group B with a 1-2 record. They will take a one-day break on Thursday, July 17, before facing the No. 2 seed from Group A in the quarterfinals on Friday, July 18, at 4:30 pm.

The Scores:

PHILIPPINES 73 – Panganiban 15, Sugapong 14, Animam 14, De Jesus 13, Dela Rosa 10, Pastrana 7, Castillo 0, Fajardo 0, Surada 0, Ozar 0, Pagdulagan 0.

LEBANON 70 – Archer 23, Akl 13, Elias 10, Mansour 7, Naassan 6, Ghaleb 6, Fayad 3, Labban 2, Raffoul 0.

Quarters: 29-12, 41-37, 55-57, 73-70.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and the Gilas Pilipinas national team are in a holding pattern as they await word from FIBA regarding the status of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, originally slated to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 5 to 17.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Gilas Pilipinas are awaiting word from FIBA officials if the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 will push through in Jeddah as there is a tension rising between Iran and Israel.

The tournament’s staging is now uncertain amid growing tensions in the Middle East, particularly the escalating conflict involving Iran and Israel. With safety concerns looming, national federations and participating teams are left in a state of limbo, including the Philippines, which is among the 16 teams set to compete.

The East Asia Super League (EASL) and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) are set to launch Future Champions Philippines this September, a program aimed at young basketball enthusiasts across the country.

Under the EASL Future Champions Philippines program, the initiative promotes high-quality basketball training and elite-level competition, offering young players meaningful community engagement and opportunities for success not only in national competitions but also on the international stage.

This marks a significant step by SBP in focusing on youth development in Philippine basketball.

The EASL Future Champions initiative consists of two main components:

1. Grassroots Program

This will focus on talent development camps and community outreach, strengthening the foundation of basketball starting at the youngest levels.

2. Elite Program

Launching in March 2026, this will become the premier youth performance program across Asia. Selected athletes will receive world-class coaching, international exposure, and continuous career development support.

The goal of both programs is to provide a structured pathway for young Asian players to find basketball opportunities both within and beyond the ASEAN region.

Through this initiative, SBP aligns itself with the EASL’s mission—a mission that is also recognized and supported by FIBA at all levels of basketball, from grassroots development to the national team.

According to Henry Kerins, CEO of EASL, SBP is fully committed to developing young talent and providing them with leadership experiences that foster both personal growth and basketball skills.

“SBP brings the leadership, experience, and infrastructure to make EASL Future Champions the premium youth development program in the Philippines,” said Kerins.

He added that EASL leadership is proud of SBP’s initiative and willingness to collaborate for the benefit of Filipino youth.

“We’re proud to be working alongside them to build something that can create real impact,” Kerins added.

Meanwhile, SBP President Al Panlilio emphasized that EASL’s vision for Filipino youth aligns closely with SBP’s goals for nurturing the next generation of basketball players.

“EASL’s vision matches our commitment to the next generation. We’re excited to help shape the future of grassroots basketball together,” said Panlilio.

Currently, the Philippines is the first country in the region to be part of the EASL Future Champions initiative. Macau and Hong Kong are set to follow, as EASL continues its efforts to raise the level of youth basketball across Asia.

Gilas Pilipinas is keenly monitoring Kai Sotto’s situation as they are facing the possibility of missing his services following an apparent left knee injury he sustained during Koshigaya Alphas’ loss to Mikawa Seahorses, 77-79, in the 2025 season of Japan B.League at Kariyashi Taiikukan Arena over the weekend.

Sotto appeared to have suffered the injury after his left knee buckled awkwardly in the first quarter of the game while aiming a post-up move against Seahorses’ Zach Auguste. 

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is hoping there is no major damage to the knee of the 7-foot-3 Gilas center. SBP executive director Erika Dy stated that they cannot make any conclusions about his status as they are awaiting the result of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on Sotto.

In response to questions about the potential effect on the squad, Gilas head coach Tim Cone confirmed that Japeth Aguilar would be prepared to take Sotto's place if he couldn't play.

“Well, that’s why we have Japeth. Japeth is there to replace any of the bigs that we have. And if you can tell me there’s another big (one) out there that matches Japeth’s size and ability, then I’ll be happy to look at him,” Cone said.