SBP bares Gilas plans for Asian Games, FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers

HONG KONG — An intact Gilas Pilipinas core is expected to compete in the upcoming 2026 Asian Games, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Erika Dy said. 

With the Asian Games about to start right after the upcoming fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, the core of the FIBA squad is expected to see action in the Asiad, where the Philippines is the defending champion. 

“There might be a few changes, pero the core of the team should be intact,” Dy told reporters at the sidelines of the East Asia Super League (EASL) Future Champions tournament Saturday here. 

The SBP official said that the changes will be due to eligibility rules from FIBA to the Asian Games.

“Yes, that's actually why may changes tayo. Papalakasin pa natin yung mga ibang hindi rin eligible for FIBA competitions as a local, pwede natin ipasok sa Asian Games,” she said.

The Philippines will face Jordan on August 28 and Iran on August 30 in the Asian Qualifiers in Manila.

Dy said that after the two matches, the team may take a break for a day then leave for South Korea on September 3, as it will play friendlies against the Korean national team on the September 4 and the September 6.

“Ang basketball po, men's basketball ng Asian Games will start earlier than the opening ceremony of the games itself. So September 10 to 20 po ang men's basketball ng Asian Games. So dire-diretso po tayo halos isang buwan or even more than a month magkakasama yung mga players natin,” Dy stressed. 

“Which of course will be good preparation na rin going into the window in November.” 

But for now, the focus is on the upcoming August window of the Asian Qualifiers, with both Gilas games to be played in the Philippines.

“We're up against Jordan first and then Iran. Very crucial games for us. Almost a do or die. I say almost, because we are only three points naman behind them. They are at 11 right now, I believe, and we are at eight And there's six games remaining pa,” Dy said. 

“So marami pang pwede mangyari, pero maganda sana makauna tayo at talunin natin sila itong window na ito.”

Brownlee watch

The participation of Justin Brownlee is also something to keep an eye on, as the naturalized Filipino did not play in the final game of the last window against Australia due to injuries.

“JB is JB. We had to rest him the final game of the previous window because of his hamstring. Pero actually, kung tutuusin, kaya naman niya maglaro noon. It's not a very bad injury. But we were more concerned about his long-term health,” she said.

“Alam naman natin na may edad na rin si Justin so we didn't want to push it too much. So it was a decision of Coach Tim which I actually agreed with. Kasi nga, we have to think about the long-term health ng ating players also.” 

Asked if there is a high possibility that Brownlee will play in the August window, Dy answered in the affirmative.

“Definitely, yes. Especially ngayon. Although, hopefully, he will have more rest right now than he had the previous window. Kasi naglaro sila sa finals ng hanggang diba, dulo. So pukpukan talaga, kaya medyo na-strain na talaga yung hamstring niya.”

Dy also voiced hope that Gilas fans would show up in the upcoming window, as the home crowd would be a big boost for the Nationals. 

Gilas is currently holding a 2-4 win-loss record after the first round of games in the qualifiers.