August 19, 2025 | 12:00am
With its marketing campaign on the FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah over, Gilas now turns its consideration to the six-window FIBA World Cup Asia qualifiers beginning in November. It’ll be a 3 1/2 month wait earlier than Gilas takes on Guam in a street sport on Nov. 28 and coach Tim Cone has the daunting activity of regrouping the troops whereas deciding whether or not or to not increase the pool of 12 gamers and three reserves. Kai Sotto’s standing remains to be within the stability but when he’s absolutely recovered from an ACL harm, Cone will certainly welcome the 7-3 middle again within the fold. There may be additionally the prospect of reeling in Quentin Millora-Brown.
The Philippines is bracketed with Australia, New Zealand and Guam within the first spherical of three home windows within the World Cup qualifiers. Within the first window, Gilas will face Guam, led by Jericho Cruz, twice, first on the street on Nov. 28 and second, at house on Dec. 1. Then, within the second window, Gilas will tackle New Zealand on Feb. 26 and Australia on March 1, each at house. Within the third window, Cone’s squad will hit the street towards New Zealand on July 3 and Australia on July 6.
The highest three finishers within the Philippines’ Group A will advance to the second spherical of three extra home windows, becoming a member of the highest three placers in Group C which consists of Iran, Jordan, Syria and Iraq. The fourth window is scheduled on Aug. 24-Sept. 1, 2026, the fifth on Nov. 23-Dec. 1, 2026 and the sixth on Feb. 23-March 2, 2027.
The 16 groups in Jeddah are entered within the World Cup qualifiers. Of the 16, eight, together with host Qatar, will make it to the World Cup in Doha on Aug. 27-Sept. 12, 2027. The very best Asian finisher, excluding anticipated qualifiers Australia and New Zealand, will characterize Asia on the LA Olympics in 2028. Both Australia or New Zealand will characterize Oceania within the Olympics.
The eight Asian qualifiers to the World Cup can be host Qatar, the highest three finishers within the two reconstituted second spherical teams plus the most effective fourth placer of each brackets. Assuming the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand advance to the second spherical from Group A with Iran, Jordan and Syria from Group C, the six groups will conflict in a brand new bracket for the second spherical of three home-and-away home windows. Outcomes from the primary three home windows can be carried over to the second spherical.
