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Tag: 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers

  • Kai Sotto left out of Gilas Pilipinas roster for FIBA Window 2, status still uncertain 

    Kai Sotto left out of Gilas Pilipinas roster for FIBA Window 2, status still uncertain 

    Speculation has been running rampant online about Gilas Pilipinas’ lineup for Window 2 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Social media has been abuzz after names and photos of a supposed “Final 12” appeared on FIBA’s official website for the games against New Zealand on February 26 and Australia on March 1.

     

    The roster posted included Chris Newsome, RJ Abarrientos, Scottie Thompson, June Mar Fajardo, Cjay Perez, Dwight Ramos, Japeth Aguilar, Kevin Quiambao, Justin Brownlee, Carl Tamayo, AJ Edu, and Quentin Millora-Brown. Notably missing was 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto, who has just returned from an ACL injury and resumed play with the Koshigaya Alphas in Japan’s B.League.

     

    Despite the online buzz, Gilas head coach Tim Cone emphasized that nothing has been finalized. “No, not at all,” Cone said when asked if the lineup had been set. “That is still very much to be determined.”

     

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    Cone has previously expressed excitement about Sotto’s potential return to the national team after sitting out more than a year. “We’re excited about Kai, but still tempering expectations,” Cone said. 

     

    “We hope he can join us fully.” The Gilas coach added. 

     

    Sources, however, suggest that Sotto, only three weeks into his comeback, is unlikely to be available for the February window, leaving his participation uncertain. The final roster will typically be confirmed after the manager’s meeting held just days before the first game.

     

    The FIBA webpage posting echoes the lineup from Window 1 last year, which still included retired veteran Japeth Aguilar, underscoring that online rosters can be misleading until officially ratified.

     

    Gilas Pilipinas is set to kick off preparations for Window 2 on February 16, but until then, the lineup remains a work in progress—and fans will have to wait to see who will actually take the court against two of Asia’s toughest opponents.

     

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  • Gilas Pilipinas faces Kai Sotto doubts ahead of FIBA World Cup Qualifiers window 

    Gilas Pilipinas faces Kai Sotto doubts ahead of FIBA World Cup Qualifiers window 

    Gilas Pilipinas will kick off preparations for the upcoming FIBA window on February 16, but the national team faces a major challenge: Kai Sotto is “unlikely” to join the 10-day camp, his camp confirmed via text message. The sessions are set to take place in Pasig and at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna.

     

    The absence of the 7-foot-3 center leaves a huge gap for Gilas. While the team still has plenty of talent, losing their tallest and most dominant player significantly weakens their frontcourt. As comparisons go, Gilas without Kai is like the Lakers without Luka or San Miguel Beer without June Mar Fajardo.

     

    Sotto has always been committed to the national team, but his circumstances have changed. After tearing his ACL in January 2025, he’s slowly working his way back with the Koshigaya Alphas in Japan, averaging 10 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists over four games

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    A minor ankle sprain, however, forced his camp to prioritize recovery over attending Gilas training.

    While he hasn’t ruled out playing in games against New Zealand (Feb. 26) and Australia (March 1), skipping camp is a big setback. 

     

    His team believes staying in Japan for focused rehabilitation gives him the best chance to return stronger.

     

    Kai Sotto has long been a symbol of hope for Philippine basketball. This pause may be disappointing, but protecting his health ensures the country will continue to have its towering presence for future FIBA windows and beyond.

     

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  • Gilas Pilipinas gets 10-day preparation window ahead of second window of FIBA World Cup qualifiers

    Gilas Pilipinas gets 10-day preparation window ahead of second window of FIBA World Cup qualifiers

    Timing, more than talent, has often been Gilas Pilipinas’ biggest opponent. This time, Tim Cone finally gets a break.

     

    After weeks of coordination and calendar juggling, the Gilas coach confirmed that the national team will open its training camp on February 16—giving him the 10-day preparation window he has long pushed for ahead of the next FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.

     

    The original plan was far from ideal.

     

    “Our initial date was Feb.11, but we could only secure four players for practice,” Cone told sources, underscoring the familiar challenge of aligning schedules across leagues and countries.

     

    Rather than force a half-built lineup into early workouts, Cone and the Gilas program opted for patience. The adjusted start date lines up with the arrival of key overseas-based players while still fitting the coach’s preferred preparation timeline for two high-stakes home games.

     

    “So we’ve moved it to Feb 16, which is when the Japan and Korea guys will start trickling in,” Cone said. 

     

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    That group includes a returning Kai Sotto, now back in action with the Koshigaya Alphas after recovering from an ACL injury, along with fellow B.League standouts AJ Edu, Dwight Ramos, and Quentin Millora-Brown. From the Korean Basketball League, Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo are also expected to report.

     

    The extra week also serves a crucial purpose closer to home. Fresh off a bruising PBA Philippine Cup Finals, June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, and Calvin Oftana will benefit from added recovery time before shifting gears back into national duty.

     

    “The guys coming from the finals will have extended rest before restarting,” Cone noted.

    Gilas will open the second window of the qualifiers on February 26 against New Zealand at the Mall of Asia Arena, before facing Australia on March 1 at the same venue. The Philippines currently sits atop Group A alongside the Boomers, both sporting perfect 2-0 records—raising the stakes for a window that could shape the group’s hierarchy.

     

    For Cone, the reset isn’t about comfort. It’s about control—finally giving Gilas enough time to come together, settle roles, and prepare properly before stepping back onto the international stage.

     

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