WHILE Kai Sotto, June Mar Fajardo and naturalized player Justin Brownlee are among the expected shoo-ins for Gilas Pilipinas in the second round of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, Philippine coach Tim Cone said other positions are “still being evaluated” at this point.
Long-time Gilas Pilipinas member Dwight Ramos and vastly-improved wingman Kevin Quiambao are also expected to be in the final 12 and Barangay Ginebra guard Scottie Thompson could be back for another Gilas Pilipinas stint after missing the July FIBA window due to a hamstring injury.
But, Cone said, nothing is written in stone.
“We have 15 players in practice, including Justin (Brownlee) who has yet to arrive, so we’ll have to select 12 from those 15,” said Cone during a practice session at the San Miguel Corp. practice facility in Pasig City.
“We’re still very much evaluating at this point while still being cognizant of past performances in previous windows,” he added.
Converge rookie guard Juan Gomez de Liaño may be included in the team once again, considering the way he played against New Zealand in the national squad’s road game last July in Auckland.
The sharpshooting freshman had his best performance in a Gilas Pilipinas uniform after scoring 23 points and hitting some clutch shots during the July window.
Unfortunately, the Philippines failed to secure a victory and bowed to New Zealand in double overtime, 106-102, in Auckland.
“Juan and Balti are both very much in the running for the 12 slots,” Cone said, referring to Gomez de Liaño’s FiberXers teammate Justine Baltazar.
Gilas Pilipinas is out to arrest a four-game losing skid after dropping its home and road games against powerhouse teams New Zealand and Australia.
The Philippines (2-4) will battle Jordan on Aug 28 and Iran on Aug. 30 in a pair of home games at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
