Photo credit: PBA

Barely hours after touching down in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia early Thursday morning, the national team was already gearing up for its first practice session under head coach Tim Cone, determined to make every moment count ahead of the 31st FIBA Asia Cup.

"We'll start practicing when we arrive," Cone shared following the team's 10-hour journey from Manila, underscoring the urgency of getting acclimated to the new environment and maximizing preparation time.

The team’s light training session marks the return of June Mar Fajardo, who rejoined Gilas after missing the Pampanga training camp and the tune-up game against the Macau Black Bears. The San Miguel big man had been given time to rest following a demanding PBA Philippine Cup Finals run. But with the Asia Cup just a week away, Cone emphasized the importance of reintegrating Fajardo into the team dynamic quickly.

"I'd like to get some practice time with June Mar," Cone said. "It’s really important that we adjust to his presence again."

Also making his way back into the fold is Calvin Oftana, recently cleared to play after dealing with sprains in both ankles during the PBA playoffs. While his minutes will be carefully managed, his availability adds depth and versatility to the roster.

The team’s energy remained high upon arrival, with players showing enthusiasm as they prepare for a challenging two-week campaign in the region. This early commitment to training signals a focused and determined Gilas squad, eager to improve on past performances and make a serious run in the tournament.

Joining Fajardo and Oftana in the 12-man roster are Justin Brownlee, Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, Japeth Aguilar, CJ Perez, Chris Newsome, Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, AJ Edu, and Kevin Quiambao.

With a week left before the competition begins, Gilas Pilipinas is making its intentions clear: they’re not in Saudi Arabia just to participate—they’re here to compete.