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Author: Andre Sotelo

  • FIFA World Cup: Brazil, Morocco Cruise as Mexico and South Africa Punch Ticket to Knockout Stage

    FIFA World Cup: Brazil, Morocco Cruise as Mexico and South Africa Punch Ticket to Knockout Stage

    Brazil and Morocco completed successful Group C campaigns, while Mexico and South Africa secured their places in the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds after a dramatic final day of group-stage action.

     

    Group A: Mexico finish perfect, South Africa make history

     

    Host nation Mexico maintained its flawless record with a 3-0 victory over Czechia to top Group A with nine points. The Mexicans continued the form that had already seen them become the first team to qualify for the knockout stage earlier in the tournament.

     

    South Africa joined them in advancing after edging South Korea, 1-0, in a tense encounter. A second-half strike from Maseko proved decisive as Bafana Bafana secured a historic progression from the group stage.

     

    Group A Final Results

    • South Africa 1-0 South Korea
    • Mexico 3-0 Czechia

    Group B: Bosnia stay alive, Switzerland edge Canada

     

    Bosnia and Herzegovina kept their World Cup hopes alive with a 3-1 win over Qatar. The victory provided a much-needed boost after collecting just one point from their first two matches.

     

    Meanwhile, Switzerland claimed top spot in Group B after defeating Canada, 2-1. Goals from Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi helped the Swiss overcome a Canadian side that had entered the match unbeaten and fresh off a dominant 6-0 win over Qatar.

     

    Group B Final Results

    • Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 Qatar
    • Switzerland 2-1 Canada

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    Group C: Brazil and Morocco advance in style

     

    Brazil delivered one of the most convincing performances of the day, defeating Scotland, 3-0, to seal first place in Group C. Vinícius Júnior starred with a brace while Matheus Cunha added the third goal. The result also marked Neymar’s return to World Cup action after a lengthy absence.

     

    Morocco secured second place after surviving a spirited challenge from Haiti in a thrilling 4-2 contest. Achraf Hakimi and Ismael Saibari helped spark the comeback before late goals from Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine sealed qualification. Haiti, despite elimination, earned praise after scoring twice and producing one of its strongest performances of the tournament.

     

    Group C Final Results

    • Brazil 3-0 Scotland
    • Morocco 4-2 Haiti

    World Cup Picture

    With the group stage nearing its conclusion, Mexico, Brazil, Morocco, Switzerland, South Africa and several other nations have secured passage to the Round of 32. The expanded tournament format means a number of third-placed teams remain in contention, keeping qualification scenarios alive heading into the final round of group matches.

     

    The knockout stage is beginning to take shape, but if the final day of Groups A, B and C proved anything, it is that the surprises are far from over.

     

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  • San Beda to represent Philippines in ANTA Kai Tour 3X3 exhibition in Jakarta 

    San Beda to represent Philippines in ANTA Kai Tour 3X3 exhibition in Jakarta 

    For four San Beda players, the upcoming trip to Jakarta is about more than basketball.

     

    It is a chance to carry the Philippine flag, represent one of the country’s most decorated collegiate programs, and perform under the watchful eyes of an NBA superstar many of them grew up idolizing.

     

    The Red Lions will take center stage at the ANTA KAI Tour Jakarta 2026, where they are set to face an Indonesian professional team in a 3×3 exhibition game on June 30 as part of NBA star Kyrie Irving’s Asia tour.

     

    Selected by ANTA Philippines to represent the country, San Beda formed a squad composed of veterans Jomel Puno and Zedjay Etulle alongside rookies Daniel Marcelo and Sean Aldous Torculas. Guiding the team is head coach Yuri Escueta, who has steered the Red Lions to two NCAA championships over the last three seasons.

     

    While the game itself offers valuable international exposure, the opportunity to share the stage with Irving has added another layer of excitement for the delegation.

     

    “We feel blessed to be able to represent our university, the Philippines and of course, ANTA. As a big Kyrie fan myself, having the opportunity to see Kyrie in person is an experience I am excited for,” said Escueta.

     

    The event forms part of Irving’s ANTA Asia Tour, which includes several stops across China before concluding in Indonesia.

     

    For Puno, the invitation carries personal significance. Having developed his game in Canada before joining San Beda, the two-time NCAA champion grew up watching Irving during his rise with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

     

    “San Beda has been my home and family ever since I moved out here so being able to represent and carry the name of our school in another country makes me feel proud and really excited especially with the presence of one of the greatest NBA players I grew up watching with my dad back in the Cavs era,” said Puno.

     

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    “I’ve been wearing all of Kyrie’s shoes since his first one with ANTA and could never wear any other shoe since then.”

     

    The trip also serves as a platform for San Beda’s younger players to gain valuable experience before taking on larger roles for the Red Lions in the years ahead.

     

    Etulle views the opportunity as a chance to showcase the country’s brand of basketball on an international stage.

     

    “I’m really excited to represent not just San Beda but also the Philippines. It’s an opportunity for us to showcase the Filipino style of basketball and show everyone how Filipinos compete and play the game.”

     

    Torculas echoed that excitement as he prepares for one of the most unique experiences of his basketball career.

     

    “I feel blessed and excited knowing I get the chance to represent the school and the country as well as possibly getting to meet Kyrie Irving in person,” said Torculas, who transferred from the University of the Philippines.

     

    Marcelo, who spent his formative years in Vancouver before joining San Beda, described the opportunity as something few athletes ever get to experience.

     

    “It feels amazing being able to represent San Beda and our country. These are things that not a lot of people get to experience and I’m very excited to be part of it. It’s going to be fun playing against the Indonesian team and to do it in front of Kyrie, someone I grew up watching, is surreal,” said Marcelo.

     

    For the Red Lions, the journey to Jakarta is not just another offseason commitment. It is a rare opportunity where collegiate basketball, international competition, and NBA stardom intersect on one stage.

     

     

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  • Alex Eala, Venus Williams make strong first impression in Bad Homburg doubles 

    Alex Eala, Venus Williams make strong first impression in Bad Homburg doubles 

    For one night in Bad Homburg, the spotlight wasn’t on generations apart—it was on how quickly two players from different eras found their rhythm together.

     

    Alex Eala and Venus Williams wasted little time showing promise as a doubles partnership, cruising into the quarterfinals of the 2026 Bad Homburg Open after a convincing 6-3, 6-4 victory over Australia’s Alexandra Osborne and American Catherine Harrison early Wednesday morning, Manila time.

     

    The win marked a successful first step for the wildcard duo, who entered the tournament looking to make the most of their doubles opportunity after both saw their singles campaigns end in the opening round.

     

    What could have been an unfamiliar pairing instead looked surprisingly polished from the opening games.

     

    Eala and Williams immediately seized momentum, racing to a commanding 4-0 lead in the first set and dictating play with aggressive shot-making and confident net coverage. Their opponents struggled to respond as the Filipino-American tandem quickly established control.

     

    The second set presented a sterner challenge.

     

    Osborne and Harrison managed to settle into the match and even grabbed a 3-2 advantage, threatening to extend the contest. But Eala and Williams responded with composure, leveling at 3-all before taking over the closing stretch to secure the victory in one hour and 10 minutes.

     

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    The result sends Eala into another significant moment in her young career—this time alongside one of the sport’s most recognizable figures.

     

    Williams, a multiple Grand Slam champion and one-half of the legendary Williams sisters, recently announced her return to doubles competition with Serena Williams as part of their preparation for the upcoming Wimbledon Championships. Bad Homburg serves as one of the final tune-ups before the grass-court major begins.

     

    For Eala, meanwhile, every match alongside the tennis icon offers another valuable experience as she continues her rise on the professional circuit.

     

    The challenge only gets tougher from here.

     

    Awaiting Eala and Williams in the quarterfinals is the tournament’s second-seeded pair of Tereza Mihalikova of Slovakia and Olivia Nicholls of Great Britain, one of the most established doubles teams currently competing on tour.

     

    After passing their first test together, Eala and Williams now have the opportunity to see just how far this intriguing partnership can go.

     

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  • Top 3 teams to watch out for in the upcoming PVL On Tour conference 

    Top 3 teams to watch out for in the upcoming PVL On Tour conference 

    The PVL On Tour is more than just a preseason exhibition. For many teams, it’s the first opportunity to test rebuilt rosters, integrate new stars, and gauge whether offseason moves can translate into championship contention. While every team will have something to prove, three squads enter the tour carrying the biggest storylines.

     

    1. Capital1 Solar Spikers

     

    No team generated more buzz this offseason than the Capital1 Solar Spikers.

     

    After reaching the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals and establishing themselves as one of the league’s fastest-rising franchises, Capital1 went all-in by signing reigning league MVP Vanie Gandler and fellow former MVP Erika Santos following Cignal’s leave of absence from the league. Both were key pieces of the Super Spikers squad that reached the All-Filipino Finals.

     

    What makes the Solar Spikers particularly dangerous is that they were already winning before these additions arrived. Bella Belen, the reigning PVL Press Corps Rookie of the Year, quickly emerged as one of the league’s premier scorers and even produced a career-high 29-point outing during the All-Filipino Conference.

     

    The Solar Spikers also strengthened their floor defense by drafting former UST standout and two-time UAAP Best Libero Detdet Pepito, adding another proven collegiate star to an already loaded core.

     

    Instead of relying solely on Belen, Capital1 now has multiple high-level scoring options capable of carrying the offense on any given night. The biggest question entering the tour is how quickly Gandler, Santos, Belen, and Pepito can develop chemistry. If they click early, Capital1 could enter the next PVL season as a legitimate championship favorite rather than simply a dark horse.

     

    2. Nxled Chameleons

     

    The Nxled Chameleons were already one of the most intriguing teams in the league before the latest round of acquisitions.

     

    Nxled built its roster around a championship-caliber core led by three-time PVL MVP Brooke Van Sickle alongside proven winners MJ Phillips and Myla Pablo, a trio that immediately transformed expectations for the franchise.

     

    The Chameleons showed flashes of their potential during the All-Filipino Conference, even opening the tournament with an unbeaten stretch while Van Sickle, Phillips, and Pablo consistently powered the offense.

     

    This offseason, Nxled addressed one of its biggest needs by acquiring five-time PVL Best Setter Gel Cayuna and veteran middle blocker Jackie Acuña from Cignal. Cayuna’s arrival could be the missing piece that unlocks the full potential of Nxled’s star-studded attack.

     

    With Van Sickle serving as the primary scorer and Phillips and Pablo providing additional firepower, Cayuna’s ability to orchestrate the offense and maximize her hitters may determine whether Nxled finally breaks through as a serious title contender.

     

    Among all teams entering the PVL On Tour, Nxled may have the highest ceiling if its new pieces fit together quickly. 

     

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    3. Creamline Cool Smashers

     

    Until proven otherwise, the road to any PVL championship still goes through the Creamline Cool Smashers.

     

    Creamline reclaimed the All-Filipino Conference crown in 2026 and continued to showcase the championship pedigree that has made it the league’s gold standard. The Cool Smashers relied on their battle-tested core throughout another title run, with Bernadeth Pons eventually earning Finals MVP honors.

     

    Unlike many contenders that underwent major roster changes, Creamline’s biggest strength remains continuity. The championship nucleus remains intact, preserving the chemistry, system, and winning culture that have produced one of the most successful dynasties in PVL history.

     

    The Cool Smashers also added Adamson standout Barbie Jamili through the PVL Draft, giving the team another promising young talent who can develop behind an already stacked lineup. Jamili’s athletic profile generated significant attention leading into the draft, and many observers believe she has considerable upside at the professional level.

     

    While Capital1 and Nxled may have made bigger offseason headlines, Creamline remains the benchmark every contender is chasing.

     

    Capital1 boasts the league’s most exciting collection of new stars. Nxled appears to have addressed one of its biggest weaknesses by adding an elite playmaker. Creamline, meanwhile, continues to operate from a position every team envies: defending champion with a championship core still intact.

     

    The PVL On Tour could offer the first glimpse of which of these three teams is best positioned to shape the next chapter of the league. 

     

     

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  • Gilas hopes Brisbane stay sharpens team for World Cup qualifiers 

    Gilas hopes Brisbane stay sharpens team for World Cup qualifiers 

    For Gilas Pilipinas, the road to Auckland and Perth begins in Brisbane.

     

    Rather than heading straight into two of their toughest assignments in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, the national team is investing in something it believes could make the difference when the games matter most: preparation.

     

    The Philippines departs for Australia on Tuesday for a training camp in Brisbane, where Gilas will not only get valuable practice time but also a chance to adapt to the winter conditions and play tune-up games, including one against NBL side Brisbane Bullets.

     

    With New Zealand and Australia waiting on the other side of the trip, head coach Tim Cone sees the camp as more than just another stop on the schedule.

     

    “We know it’s going to be tough,” Cone said during Gilas’ send-off press conference on Monday. “We’ve been a team that’s pulled surprises before, and I’m not going to be surprised if we pull a surprise.”

     

    Cone emphasized that confidence starts with preparation, especially against opponents that have consistently been among the strongest teams in the region.

     

    “I think that’s really good preparation for us,” he said. “Every game for Gilas is a championship game. It’s a Game 7.”

     

    “A prepared team is a confident team. If we feel like we’re prepared and ready to go, then we’re going to be confident,” Cone added.

     

    The camp also addresses a challenge that often goes unnoticed—adjusting to a completely different environment before tip-off.

     

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    Gilas program director Alfrancis Chua pointed out that acclimatizing to Australia’s winter weather is one of the key reasons behind the early trip.

     

    “It’s winter there right now, so malaking bagay sa mga bata,” Chua said. “At least makaka-adjust na sila, ‘yung katawan nila.”

     

    The Philippines enters the third window with a 2-2 record in Group A and has already secured a place in the next phase of qualification. Still, the upcoming games offer an opportunity to build momentum and measure themselves against two teams expected to contend for top spots in the region.

     

    Gilas faces New Zealand in Auckland on July 3 before traveling to Perth to take on unbeaten Australia on July 6.

     

    For a team chasing another World Cup appearance, Brisbane represents more than a training camp—it is the starting point of a mission to prove it can compete with Oceania’s best on their own turf.

     

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  • Alex Eala turns focus to dream doubles partnership with Venus Williams

    Alex Eala turns focus to dream doubles partnership with Venus Williams

    Alex Eala’s stay in the Bad Homburg Open singles draw may have been brief, but the week is far from over for the rising Filipina star.

     

    Instead of dwelling on an early exit, Eala now finds herself preparing for one of the most unique opportunities of her young career—a doubles partnership with seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams.

     

    For a player who grew up watching some of the sport’s biggest names, sharing the same side of the court with Williams offers a chance that goes beyond rankings and results.

     

    “Syempre excited na excited, kasi hindi araw araw na makakasama ko si Venus sa court kaya bigay todo talaga,” said Eala.

     

    The 21-year-old enters the doubles competition after a straight-sets defeat to Belgium’s Elise Mertens, who continued her perfect record against the Filipina with a 6-3, 6-3 victory in the opening round of singles.

     

    While the result ended Eala’s run in the tournament’s main draw, she viewed the match as another learning experience against one of the tour’s seasoned competitors.

     

    “Elise is an experienced player, very veteran, and I played her a couple of times before and also have encountered many challenges before,” Eala admitted.

     

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    “I think the conditions were difficult for me today, so I did the best I could with, you know, what I had.”

     

    Rather than leaving Germany disappointed, Eala chose to focus on the positives from another week of grass-court preparation ahead of the sport’s most prestigious tournament.

     

    “I’m proud of how I fought, I’m proud of what I did, and I’m proud of how I showed up,” Eala added.

     

    The timing of the doubles stint could prove valuable as Eala fine-tunes her game before Wimbledon, where she is set to achieve another milestone. The Filipina recently became the first Filipino player in the Open Era to earn a singles seeding at a Grand Slam tournament, further highlighting her rapid rise on the WTA Tour.

     

    Before stepping onto the lawns of the All England Club, however, Eala gets one more memorable chapter in Germany—this time alongside one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen.

     

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  • Justin Brownlee quickly shifts focus from Ginebra title to Gilas duty 

    Justin Brownlee quickly shifts focus from Ginebra title to Gilas duty 

    For most players, winning a championship is followed by a period of rest, for Justin Brownlee, it is simply time to move on to the next responsibility.

     

    Fresh from another title-winning campaign with Barangay Ginebra, the naturalized Filipino star is already turning his attention to Gilas Pilipinas as the national team prepares for a pair of challenging road games in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.

     

    The transition comes quickly. Less than a week after battling through a seven-game PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals series against TNT, Brownlee is once again preparing for meaningful basketball—this time carrying the hopes of an entire country.

     

    Yet the veteran forward insists motivation has never been an issue.

     

    “No matter how you’re feeling, you always find your energy,” said Brownlee during Gilas Pilipinas’ send-off press conference on Monday at the FilOil Centre.

     

    The timing of the call-up highlights a unique reality in Brownlee’s basketball life. He has become a central figure for both Barangay Ginebra and Gilas Pilipinas, often moving directly from one high-pressure environment to another with little time in between.

     

    Fortunately for Brownlee, the adjustment is made easier by the familiarity of the system under head coach Tim Cone, who guides both Ginebra and the national team.

     

    “We pretty much run a similar system, but there’s a lot more talent. Guys are more athletic,” said Brownlee.

     

    Still, what keeps him eager to suit up for Gilas goes beyond tactics or continuity.

     

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    While Brownlee has built a special relationship with Ginebra supporters over the years, he believes representing the Philippines brings an even greater sense of responsibility.

     

    “Playing for Ginebra is truly a blessing, truly special. And playing for the National Team is even more special because you represent the whole country,” he said.

     

    “There are already a lot of fans with Ginebra, but playing for the National Team is also a big deal.”

    Brownlee now joins a Gilas squad heading overseas for a training camp in New Zealand, where the team will play tune-up games against the Manawatu Jets and Franklin Bulls before returning to official competition.

     

    The Philippines faces New Zealand on July 3 before taking on Australia on July 6 as it wraps up its first-round campaign in the Asian Qualifiers.

     

    For Brownlee, the challenge is another opportunity to do what he has done throughout his Philippine basketball journey—answer the call whenever it comes.

     

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  • FEU Boys and UST Girls banner PH Flag in NBA Rising Invitationals

    FEU Boys and UST Girls banner PH Flag in NBA Rising Invitationals

    Winning a championship at home was only the beginning.

     

    For Far Eastern University-Diliman and University of Santo Tomas, their UAAP titles have now opened the door to a bigger stage as both schools represent the Philippines in the second edition of the NBA Rising Stars Invitational in Singapore.

     

    The tournament gives the country’s top high school teams a chance to measure themselves against elite youth programs from across Asia, turning what is usually a domestic journey into an international test of growth and development.

     

    For FEU-Diliman, the experience is about more than results.

     

    “We have an expectation to gain a lot from this tournament (because) we’ll be playing international schools,” said Baby Tamaraws coach Allan Albano.

     

    The boys’ squad arrives with added confidence after receiving a boost from Gilas Pilipinas Youth standouts JB Cagurungan and Prince Cariño, who recently helped the national team capture gold in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers.

     

    Despite the demanding schedule and the quick turnaround from national team duties, Cariño said he is ready for another challenge.

     

    “My fatigue level is fine. I just maximize my rest and do time management,” Cariño said.

     

    “I just do proper recovery and sleep.”

     

    On the girls’ side, UST enters the competition carrying both excitement and curiosity as the Junior Growling Tigresses prepare to face unfamiliar opponents from around the region.

     

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    Their participation marks another milestone for a program that has steadily established itself among the country’s best.

     

    “I’ve never seen them this excited before. We’re extremely happy and we’re thankful to the NBA for inviting us,” said UST-SHS coach Arsenio Dysangco.

     

    “This is a very big event for us.

     

    “We’re all excited in this program because we have a chance to play against top basketball girls’ programs here in Asia.”

     

    Beyond the games themselves, the tournament also gives young athletes a chance to interact with basketball personalities they have long admired.

     

    Among the notable guests expected to attend are Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, former NBA guard Jeremy Lin, Hall of Fame sharpshooter Mitch Richmond, and WNBA legend Lauren Jackson.

     

    For FEU-Diliman and UST, the NBA Rising Stars Invitational offers something few high school teams experience—a chance to represent both school and country while seeing how their games stack up against the rest of Asia.

     

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  • Fresh off championship, Scottie Thompson and Nards Pinto pay tribute to Rene Baterbonia 

    Fresh off championship, Scottie Thompson and Nards Pinto pay tribute to Rene Baterbonia 

    Just days after celebrating a championship, Barangay Ginebra stars Scottie Thompson and Nards Pinto found themselves in a far different setting.

     

    Instead of continuing the festivities following the Gin Kings’ Commissioner’s Cup triumph, the two PBA veterans traveled to Talacogon, Agusan del Sur to pay their final respects to the late Ateneo basketball player Rene Baterbonia.

     

    Photos and videos shared online showed Thompson and Pinto visiting Baterbonia’s wake on Tuesday, joining family, friends, and members of the basketball community mourning the loss of one of Mindanao’s promising young talents.

     

    Baterbonia died alongside Nigerian teammate Divine Adili in a drowning incident during a team-building activity in Aurora earlier this month.

     

    Their visit came only days after Thompson and Pinto helped Barangay Ginebra secure the Commissioner’s Cup championship by defeating TNT in a winner-take-all Game 7.

     

    For many, the gesture reflected the close ties that often connect athletes beyond leagues, teams, and levels of competition.

     

    “Thank you so much my brother Scottie and Nards for visiting and paying respect to Bobet and his family,” said Baterbonia’s high school coach Jess Evangelio.

     

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    “We know you should be celebrating your championship today, but nevertheless, you still took the time to stop by and share our grief.

     

    “We are very grateful and very much appreciate your kindness and support,” added Evangelio on social media.

     

    Thompson and Pinto were joined by Thompson’s wife Jinky and actress Sofia Andres as they visited the wake on the eve of Baterbonia’s burial.

     

    The visit carried added meaning given their shared roots. Thompson and Pinto both hail from Davao, where Baterbonia first made a name for himself as a standout player for Ateneo de Davao before continuing his basketball journey at Ateneo de Manila University.

     

    While championships often define careers, Thompson and Pinto’s trip to Agusan del Sur served as a reminder that some moments transcend the game itself.

     

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  • Juan Gomez de Liano reunites with familiar faces in Gilas call-up 

    Juan Gomez de Liano reunites with familiar faces in Gilas call-up 

    Juan Gomez de Liano’s  latest Gilas Pilipinas call-up is about more than replacing an injured player on the roster.

     

    It is also about reconnecting with teammates whose basketball journeys have been intertwined with his for years.

     

    After being named as Scottie Thompson’s replacement for Window 3 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, Gomez de Liano finds himself sharing the national team locker room once again with Justine Baltazar and RJ Abarrientos—two players who were part of a memorable chapter in Gilas history.

     

    “Super excited,” he said during the team’s send-off press conference at the FilOil Centre.

     

    The trio were members of the young Gilas squad assembled by Tab Baldwin in 2021, a team that earned praise for its performances in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers and later competed in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia.

     

    While that group has since gone its separate ways across different leagues and teams, Window 3 offers a rare opportunity to bring those connections back together.

     

    Among the reunions, Gomez de Liano’s partnership with Baltazar may be the most familiar.

    The two first became teammates during the Asia Cup Qualifiers bubble in Bahrain at the height of the pandemic. Years later, they now share the same colors once more—not only in Gilas but also with Converge in the PBA.

     

    Having spent significant time together on the court, Gomez de Liano believes that chemistry could prove valuable for the national team.

     

    “The last time we represented the country was when we went to Bahrain during the pandemic,” recalled the former KBL and B.League import.

     

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    “Now we’re teammates not just with Gilas but in Converge in the PBA.

     

    “Super excited. I’m very familiar with how he plays; I know his spots, I know how to get him going. Just blessed to be here with Balti as well.”

     

    Abarrientos brings a different dynamic to the reunion.

     

    The two recently found themselves on opposite sides of a heated PBA playoff battle, with Abarrientos helping Barangay Ginebra capture the Commissioner’s Cup championship after an impressive conference that earned him Best Player of the Conference honors.

     

    Now, instead of competing against each other, they will work toward the same goal.

     

    Gomez de Liano believes Abarrientos’ growth since their previous Gilas stint has made him an even more valuable piece for the national team.

     

    “The impact RJ brings, he won the Best Player of the Conference this last conference,” Gomez de Liano said.

     

    “He’s very smart, and he creates for others as well. I think we play really well together … Super excited.”

     

    As Gilas prepares for difficult road assignments against New Zealand and Australia, familiarity may become one of its biggest strengths.

     

    For Gomez de Liano, the upcoming qualifiers represent another opportunity to contribute to the national team. But they also serve as a reminder of how far he and his fellow 2021 Gilas standouts have come—from promising young prospects to established professionals now being called upon once again to represent the country on the international stage.

     

     

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