FOLLOWING its exit in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, Gilas Pilipinas won't get together again until weeks before the November qualifiers of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
The schedule is out already with the Philippines’ first game in the World Cup qualifiers to be played on the road on November 28 against Guam in Group A of the qualifiers where Jericho Cruz could be in action for the hosts.
It is going to be a home-and-home series for both teams as the Philippines will then play host to Guam on December 1.
READ Guam prepares to host Gilas in World Cup qualifier
The Philippines has competed in the last three World Cups - 2014 in Seville, Spain, 2019 in Foshan, China, and in 2023 which the country co-hosted with Japan and Indonesia.
Gilas will also see action in another tournament before 2025 ends with the Southeast Asian Games set in December in Thailand, although the Nationals are expected to take a different shape due to the unavailability of the PBA and overseas-based players since the biennial meet will not be held in a FIBA international window.
Justin Brownlee, however, could be available for the SEA Games because the PBA will be in the middle of the all-local Philippine Cup competition at that time.
READ Gilas likely to field mix of PBA, college players at SEA Games. Here's why
The original Gilas pool will go back in harness for the World Cup qualifiers on February 26 and March 1 of the following year where they will play home games against the toughest teams of the group in New Zealand and Australia respectively.
Gilas will be eyeing a different result after losing to both teams during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 – 94-86 to the Tall Blacks in the group stage last August 7, and a4-60 to the Boomers in the quarterfinals last Wednesday.
The Philippines will then face New Zealand and Australia again come the next window, this time on the road. Gilas will take on the Tall Blacks on July 3 and the Boomers on July 6 to wrap up first round hostilities of the World Cup qualifiers.
The top three teams will then advance to the second round to continue their bid to play in the World Cup set to be played in Qatar.
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