IF plans don’t miscarry, Gilas Pilipinas expects a loaded front court for the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
Coach Tim Cone is keeping his fingers crossed that no injury bug will hit big men led by Kai Sotto, Quentin Millora-Brown, AJ Edu and Mike Phillips, as all four players are expected to be available for the November window.
“Yes, barring any injury between now and then,” Cone said, when asked by The Manila Times about the availability of the four big men.
The 7-3 Sotto has returned to action for his Japan B.League team Altira Chiba after missing seven games due to a knee issue.
He played the first four games for the season, before being held back due to the injury.
The Filipino big man has played in the team’s last two games, averaging six points and five rebounds in 17 minutes of play.
Sotto’s size, coupled by the presence of QMB, who currently plays for the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins, along with Phillips (Kyoto Hannaryz) and Edu (Gunma Crane Thunders), will give Cone the luxury of a stratospheric frontline heading to the penultimate window of the FIBA Asian Qualifiers.
Cone recently said Gilas will be leaving for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Nov. 21, with the team, while Bennie Boatwright, the team’s new naturalized player, will follow on Nov. 23.
The PBA is scheduled to halt the playoffs for the Season 50 Governors’ Cup after Tuesday’s sudden death Game 5 of the quarterfinal series between San Miguel Beer and Ginebra to give way to Gilas’ FIBA tournament.
Gilas has less than a week to prepare before plunging to action on Nov. 27 against Syria, followed by Iran on Nov. 30 in Seremban, an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur.
