AFTER their historic gold medal finish at the 2023 Asian Games, the new era of Gilas Pilipinas looks to have a strong start to 2024 with the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. Saudi Arabia is hosting the tournament for the second time after 1997. Gilas will face New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, and Hong Kong in Group B in the Asia Cup Qualifiers following the draw that happened last September.

New Beginnings

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) officially announced the retention of Tim Cone as the national team head coach last Jan. 29 — three months after leading the national team to the gold medal in the 2023 Asian Games, ending a 61-year drought. The 12-man roster includes Asian Games gold medalists June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, Calvin Oftana, Chris Newsome, CJ Perez, Justin Brownlee, Japan B. League standouts Dwight Ramos, Kai Sotto, AJ Edu, and Carl Tamayo, Barangay Ginebra forward Jamie Malonzo, and University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao. However, Fajardo will not play in the first window after being injured in Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals with a partial tear in his left calf; he will be replaced by Barangay Ginebra big man, Japeth Aguilar.

First Window Highlights

The 24 teams across six groups are competing for the 16 spots for the tournament proper in a home-and-away format across three qualifying windows, beginning in February 2024. Hong Kong hosted Gilas last Feb. 22 at the Tsuen Wan Sports Centre for the opening game of the first window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. Gilas started strong with a 9-0 run, led by Scottie Thompson, Dwight Ramos, Calvin Oftana, Justin Brownlee, and Kai Sotto. Despite the run, Hong Kong kept fighting and stayed within a manageable distance after two quarters of being down 35-41. Although Gilas took control, limiting the opposing team to nine points in the third quarter and claiming the 94-64 win. Brownlee led the Philippine team with 16 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and three steals in 27 minutes, while Sotto dropped 13 markers, 15 boards, and two blocks. Quiambao stood out with 15 points as Jamie Malonzo added 11.

Following their win against Hong Kong, Gilas Pilipinas brought home the momentum as they played Chinese Taipei last Feb. 25 at the PhilSports Arena. Gilas held a 13-11 edge before closing out the first quarter on a 13-2 run. Justin Brownlee and Kai Sotto combined for 27 first-half points, helping them take a commanding 52-27 lead into halftime. Kevin Quiambao scored eight straight points in the final minutes of the third quarter to take an 80-38 cushion, surpassing the 40-point mark. This continued until the end of the buzzer as Gilas claimed a wire-to-wire 106-53 win to sweep the first window. Brownlee led the Philippine team with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists. Sotto contributed 18 points to go along with 10 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in over 23 minutes of play. Oftana shot multiple threes dropping 13 points, and five rebounds, while Ramos added 12 points, three rebounds, an assist, and two steals. Malonzo sat out due to a medical issue.

What’s next for Gilas Pilipinas?

With a sweep to start the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers after defeating Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei in the first window, Gilas looks forward to their match against New Zealand in November. They are tied with the Tall Blacks with identical 2-0 cards for first place in Group B, having an incredible 83 points in total winning margin.

In the meantime, members of Gilas Pilipinas will rejoin their teams across the PBA and Japan B. League. Kevin Quiambao will return to De La Salle University for their UAAP bid. They will get back together in late June to start preparing for the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT), which is scheduled for early July. According to Head Coach Tim Cone, they will only have 10 days to prepare for the OQT due to the commitments of the players to their clubs. "We were just talking in the locker room about how this kind of feels like an ending because we don’t play again until another three or four months, and so it kind of feels like an ending for us," said Cone.