Gilas Pilipinas will have a challenging task ahead as it is grouped with Australia and New Zealand, along with Guam, in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers which will start later this year.
The draw was held on late Tuesday in Doha, the host of the World Cup in 2027.
Road to Qatar 2027 starts here for Asia! ????
Fire match-ups awaiting us in #FIBAWC Asian Qualifiers ????#StepItUp pic.twitter.com/huxfB3y2fK
— FIBA Basketball World Cup ???? (@FIBAWC) May 13, 2025
The Philippines, currently ranked 34 in the FIBA world rankings, will go up against world no. 7 Australia, world no. 22 New Zealand, and Guam which is ranked 88th.
The last time Gilas competed against Australia was back in 2018 where the Boomers won, 89-53, after many players were ejected due to a brawl in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers then.
Gilas, meanwhile, defeated New Zealand in their previous face off, 93-89, in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers last year.
The national team, however, will have to focus first on the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia this August, before turning their attention to the World Cup Qualifiers which will open in November.
Should Gilas qualify for the World Cup, it will be its fourth straight appearance as it previously booked slots in 2014, 2019, and 2023.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News