Gilas Pilipinas doesn’t have the luxury of dwelling on another heartbreaking loss.
Less than three days after falling to New Zealand in a double-overtime classic, the national team now shifts its attention to an even steeper challenge—a date with World No. 6 Australia to close out the third window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
The task has become even tougher with Gilas set to play without naturalized star Justin Brownlee, who has been ruled out after sustaining multiple injuries to both legs. His absence leaves the Philippines without its most experienced offensive weapon against a Boomers squad that has long been one of Asia’s measuring sticks.
Still, there is one familiar advantage waiting for Gilas in Perth.
Just as they experienced against New Zealand, the Filipinos are expected to receive overwhelming support from the Filipino community in Western Australia, turning RAC Arena into something resembling a home court.
But for head coach Tim Cone, a supportive crowd alone won’t be enough.
“Bottom line is we gotta win games,” Cone said after Gilas’ 102-106 double-overtime loss to New Zealand on Friday.
That urgency goes beyond simply ending the third qualifying window on a positive note.
Although Gilas has already secured its place in the second round of the Asian Qualifiers, every result from the opening phase carries over. Another defeat would leave the Philippines entering the next stage with just a 2-4 record, putting added pressure on every remaining qualification game.
Australia also represents unfinished business.
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Juan Gomez de Liaño and the rest of #GilasPilipinas look to bounce back in Window 3 of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers as they take on Team Australia this Monday, July 6, at 6:30 p.m., LIVE and FREE on the One Sports YouTube Channel!#FIBAWCQ pic.twitter.com/HouBt8bsGk
— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) July 6, 2026
The Boomers handed Gilas a convincing 93-66 defeat when they met in Manila on March 1. While the final margin suggested a one-sided contest, the Philippines actually stayed within striking distance for much of the first half, trailing only 38-33 at the break.
Australia eventually imposed its size, depth, and physicality with a dominant third quarter, outscoring Gilas 30-20 before stretching the lead to as many as 29 points.
This time, however, the circumstances are different.
The Philippines enters the matchup fresh from pushing New Zealand to two overtime periods on the road behind the breakout performances of Juan Gomez de Liano, Kevin Quiambao, Carl Tamayo, and Dwight Ramos—proof that Gilas’ younger core is capable of challenging higher-ranked opponents.
Now, the challenge is sustaining that level against the region’s top-ranked team.
Australia remains unbeaten in the qualifiers and has not lost to the Philippines in official FIBA competition in more than five decades, making Monday’s clash another opportunity for Gilas to measure how far it has come.
The Philippines faces Australia on Monday at 6:30 p.m. (Manila time) at RAC Arena in Perth, hoping to end the window with a statement victory before the road to the 2027 FIBA World Cup continues.
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