Gilas Pilipinas’s FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers squad scrimmaged against the Philippines’ Asian Games team in a tuneup, with coach Tim Cone fielding an all-Filipino lineup after ruling out Justin Brownlee.
Gilas Pilipinas spent Monday killing two birds with one stone, pitting the squad set to compete in this weekend’s fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers against the country’s separate Asian Games team in a tuneup scrimmage at the Mall of Asia Arena — a session designed to sharpen both rosters ahead of their respective, high-stakes assignments.
Preparing for a Crucial Home Window
Head coach Tim Cone and the “Window Team” also held a press conference following the scrimmage, ahead of what shapes up to be a pivotal set of matches against Jordan and Iran in front of a home crowd. “We’re just trying to get as much experience and time together,” Cone said, confirming Gilas will field an all-Filipino lineup for the window after ruling out naturalized player Justin Brownlee.
Monday’s session marked the second tuneup game for the FIBA squad, following a win over South Korean side Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus last Thursday — a performance Cone felt still left plenty of room for improvement. He offered a similar, cautiously honest assessment after Monday’s matchup against the Asiad squad. “We’re not as good as we want to be at this point,” Cone said. “We need to be better, we feel. And that included the game against Korea and included the game today. We’re still trying to find the best version of ourselves. But we still got a few more days, and we’re still trying to lock in and get a feel for everybody.”
Why Brownlee Is Sitting This Window Out
Brownlee had originally been expected to arrive before the start of the team’s buildup, but Cone confirmed the naturalized standout “doesn’t feel like he’s really healthy enough to contribute” at this stage. Brownlee missed Gilas’s previous game against Australia during the third window, and he also sat out serving as Barangay Ginebra’s import in the PBA Governors’ Cup, due to ongoing injuries affecting his knee, hamstring, and leg.
A 14-Man Pool for a 12-Man Roster
With Brownlee unavailable, Cone is working from a pool of 14 players as he finalizes his 12-man roster for Friday and Sunday’s games. That pool includes returning veterans Kai Sotto, Scottie Thompson, and CJ Perez, along with new addition Justin Arana of Converge.
Sotto, for his part, embraced the added responsibility that comes with Brownlee’s absence. “It’s a huge pressure for us,” he said. “But that’s the pressure that we need. Since the start of practice, we’ve been improving. And as long as we help each other and we trust each other, we’ll get what we want.”
The rest of the players competing for a spot on the final roster include Dwight Ramos, Juan Gomez de Liano, Kevin Quiambao, AJ Edu, Carl Tamayo, Chris Newsome, Troy Rosario, Justine Baltazar, RJ Abarrientos, and June Mar Fajardo — who is expected to be playing what could be his final games representing the national team.
The Asian Games Squad’s Different Challenge
While the FIBA window squad prepares for Jordan and Iran, the Philippines’ Asian Games team has its own significant assignment ahead: defending the gold medal it won three years ago in China, with this year’s tournament set for September 10-20 in Japan.
Rather than overseeing both teams personally, Cone has entrusted the Asian Games squad to assistants Del Rosario, Josh Reyes, and Jong Uichico, allowing him to focus his own attention on the FIBA window games. The Asiad roster is composed mostly of PBA players, with NLEX’s Robert Bolick and Blackwater’s Sedrick Barefield among the notable names who could ultimately wear the Gilas jersey at the quadrennial event.
Two Different Team Styles, One Shared Goal
According to Del Rosario, Monday’s scrimmage served a specific tactical purpose beyond simply generating game reps. “The real purpose of the tuneup game is really to get each other ready. You know, getting the Asian Games team prepared for a fast-paced game. Because the Asian Games team is a really quicker team,” he explained.
The benefit flows in both directions, Del Rosario noted, given the differing size and composition between the two squads. “The composition of the Asian Games team is different. And then for the window team to prepare the Asian Games team for the size. With Kai and June Mar and AJ there. So it’s really about helping each other.”
Del Rosario was careful to frame the two squads as fundamentally connected, rather than separate programs competing for attention or resources. “We always tell the players, we’re not the Asian Games team and the FIBA window team. We’re one team. So it’s really about getting each other better.”
What’s Next
With Friday and Sunday’s crucial home matches against Jordan and Iran fast approaching, Cone and his coaching staff now face the task of trimming their 14-player pool down to a final 12-man roster for the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers window. Meanwhile, the Asian Games squad continues its own preparations ahead of the September trip to Japan, where the Philippines will look to defend its gold medal from three years ago.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is Justin Brownlee not playing in this FIBA window? Brownlee has been ruled out due to ongoing injuries to his knee, hamstring, and leg. He also missed Gilas’s previous game against Australia and did not play as Barangay Ginebra’s import in the PBA Governors’ Cup for the same reason.
Q: Who is Gilas Pilipinas playing in the fourth window of the Asian Qualifiers? Gilas will face Jordan and Iran at home this weekend, with games scheduled for Friday and Sunday.
Q: Why did the FIBA squad scrimmage against the Asian Games team? The tuneup was designed to benefit both squads simultaneously — helping the Asian Games team prepare for faster-paced international competition, while helping the FIBA window team adjust to a bigger, more physical lineup ahead of their own games.
Q: When and where is the Asian Games basketball tournament? The Asian Games are set to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 10 to 20, with the Philippines defending the gold medal it won three years ago in China.
Q: Who is coaching the Asian Games squad? Assistant coaches Del Rosario, Josh Reyes, and Jong Uichico are overseeing the Asian Games team, while head coach Tim Cone focuses his attention on the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers window squad.
