Gilas Pilipinas vs New Zealand in the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers second window.
Mall of Asia Arena
- 7:30pm – Philippines vs New Zealand
The Gilas Pilipinas Final 12 vs New Zealand. –MARLO CUETO
MANILA, Philippines—Justin Brownlee leads Gilas Pilipinas’ Final 12 line-up that will compete against New Zealand for the second window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers on Thursday.
Headlining the 12-man lineup is Brownlee, longtime Ginebra import and naturalized forward coach, whom Tim Cone described as “highly motivated” en route to the Asia Cup qualifiers following a loss in the recently concluded PBA Governors’ Cup Finals at the hands of TNT.
Japan B.League big man Kai Sotto, who was under concussion protocol a few days back, is also on the final roster against the Kiwis.
Players to watch for Gilas Pilipinas and New Zealand Tall Blacks in their Fiba Asia Cup 2025 clash: Justin Brownlee and Corey Webster. –FIBA/INQUIRER photos
Gilas Pilipinas figures in an acid test in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers Thursday night a little banged up.
But national coach Tim Cone made the assurance that his charges will be putting up a resolute performance come game time against formidable New Zealand, a country that has had the Philippines’ number since anyone can remember.
“We’re a little dinged up, but the guys are digging in and ready to play,” Cone told the Inquirer on the eve of the 7:30 p.m. duel at Mall of Asia Arena where the world No. 34 Filipinos battle the 22nd-ranked Tall Blacks to break the 2-0 deadlock at the top between Group B’s two early leaders.
Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone during a Fiba OQT Riga game against world No. 6 Latvia. –FIBA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Whether how Gilas Pilipinas performs in the upcoming 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers, coach Tim Cone made one thing certain.
This 2024 has been and still is the squad’s “trial” year.
After just recently revamping the program a year ago after the 2023 Fiba World Cup, Cone said his second year—first, officially—as head coach for Gilas is still part of the a trial and error phase.
“This is a trial year for us. This whole program we’ve done this year has been a trial to see what works and doesn’t work,” said the Ginebra coach just days before the Asia Cup qualifying tournament in Manila.
Scottie Thompson (with ball) tormented HongKong the last time theymet as he helped Gilas to a 94-64 win. —FIBA PHOTO
A healthy Scottie Thompson should bode well for Gilas Pilipinas when it plunges back into action this Thursday in the second window of the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.
“Scottie’s presence moves everybody back into their roles. And now, you have that tremendous energy guy,” national coach Tim Cone said.
After missing the Olympic Qualifiers in Latvia due to a nagging back problem, the do-it-all playmaker is set for another National Five stint when the Philippines takes on New Zealand in a battle of unbeaten teams at Mall of Asia Arena.
FILE– Gilas Pilipinas during the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament. –FIBA BASKETBALL
Gilas Pilipinas is counting on its sixth man–the Filipino fans–for support when it takes on visiting teams in the second window of the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers this week.
The Philippine men’s basketball team hosts New Zealand on November 21 and Hong Kong and November 24 at Mall of Asia Arena in its bid to stay unbeaten in Group B of the continental meet.
Here’s how to watch and support Gilas Pilipinas for the qualifying meet.
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