GILAS Pilipinas coach Tim Cone intends to maximize the team’s limited preparation time as members of the national team coming from Korea and Japan are expected to arrive in the coming days.
The American pegged Monday, Feb. 16, as the team’s first practice for the two home games in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers against New Zealand and Australia.
Gilas battles New Zealand on Feb. 26 and Australia on March 1. Both games are set to be played at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The 68-year-old Cone is expected to meet the players for its first practice sessions at the Upper Deck gym in Pasig City before moving to Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna for the training camp.
“We will go into Inspire when the team is totally intact which is around the 20th, although we will begin practice earlier on the 16th with those already in Manila,” said Cone in a statement posted at the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas website.
The team is waiting for the arrival of Asian reinforcements Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao from the Korean Basketball League and Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu and Quentin Millora-Brown from the Japan B.League.
Kai Sotto’s status, however, remains a 50-50 at the moment, with Cone well aware of the 7-foot-3 Filipino’s recent return from a knee injury.
Naturalized player Justin Brownlee will be leading the Philippine squad in its two homes games, with the three-time PBA Best Import fresh off a stint with the Meralco Bolts in the East Asia Super League, which fell short of its playoff target following a 79-88 defeat against the Ryukyu Golden Kings last Wednesday.