Photo credit: SBP

Gilas Pilipinas is back on the court, and Filipino basketball fans have every reason to be excited. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has confirmed the lineup for the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, with crucial home games at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

A Strong Lineup

The 12‑man roster for this window includes:

• Guards: Juan Gomez‑de Liano (making his debut), Dwight Ramos, Scottie Thompson, Chris Newsome, CJ Perez
• Forwards/Wings: Justin Brownlee, Kevin Quiambao, Calvin Oftana
• Big Men: AJ Edu, Quentin Millora‑Brown, Carl Tamayo, June Mar Fajardo

Notable absences include RJ Abarrientos, who was replaced by Gomez‑de Liano, and Kai Sotto, still recovering from an ACL injury. Justine Baltazar, who trained with the team, did not make the final 12-man roster.

What’s at Stake

Gilas comes off a strong start, going 2–0 in the first window with two wins over Guam. A victory over New Zealand in the upcoming home game could secure advancement to the next round of FIBA World Cup qualifying, potentially without relying on other results.

SBP’s Role Beyond the Court

While the spotlight is on the men’s team, SBP continues to develop basketball nationwide, managing youth programs, women’s teams, and 3×3 basketball to nurture the next generation of talent.

As the qualifiers unfold, all eyes will be on Gilas Pilipinas — defending home court, representing the nation, and continuing a strong push toward the FIBA World Cup.