GILAS Pilipinas is slated to play two tune-up games against two New Zealand professional squads Manawatu Jets and the Franklin Bulls late this month as part of its buildup for the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers final window.
The Philippine team, set to fly to New Zealand this Tuesday, June 23, takes on the Jets on June 28 in the team’s Fly Palmy Arena in the Manawatu-Whanganui Region.
Two days after, Gilas takes on the Bulls at the Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre.
“It's very rare to get to see a team like the Philippines in person, let alone at home at the Stockyard. The Bulls can't wait to host Gilas Pilipinas and we are excited to welcome fans of both teams. This is going to be a great exhibition of basketball,” Bulls Club Director, Scott Kelso said at the bullbasketball.nz website.
The Jets and the Bulls play in New Zealand’s National Basketball League, the country’s professional cage loop.
The Tim Cone-coached national squad will use the two tune-up games as part of its preparation before plunging into action against host New Zealand Tall Blacks on July 3 in Auckland.
Three days later, the Philippines will be in Perth to take on Australia to conclude its pair of away games.
Before leaving Manila, Gilas has a scheduled media and fans day on Monday night at the Fil-Oil Flying V Center in San Juan.
Gilas won’t have its two top and young big men in Kai Sotto and Quentin Millora-Brown.
In their absence, UAAP Season 88 Mike Phillips and Converge young big man Justine Baltazar have been tapped to add size and rebounding for Gilas.
The coming FIBA WC window marks the first time the 6-foot-8 Phillips will be suiting up as a local player for Gilas since be reclassified into such status by the world governing basketball body.
Phillips first suited up for Gilas during the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh where the Philippines regained the basketball gold after beating host nation Cambodia in the finals. RICHARD DY
