MANILA, Philippines – With their backs against the wall and questions swirling around their form, Gilas Pilipinas enters the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 not just looking for a win — but redemption.
Head coach Tim Cone made it clear: “We’re here to win gold.” But if Gilas wants to make that dream a reality, they’ll need to clean up their act — and fast.
The Filipinos are heading into battle without 7-foot-3 star Kai Sotto, still recovering from a knee injury suffered in January. Since then, the national team has looked shaky, dropping four of their last six games — most of them blowouts.
In February, they averaged a dismal -19 point differential, and only Justin Brownlee managed to score in double digits across multiple matches. Even in a friendly against the Macau Black Bears, Gilas had to claw back from 21 points down just to scrape out a win.
Now, placed in Group D, Gilas is up against teams they’ve already struggled with — Chinese Taipei and New Zealand — plus a physical Iraqi squad.
First Test: Chinese Taipei (August 6)
It’s déjà vu. Gilas crushed the Taiwanese 106-53 in February 2024. But a year later, Taipei returned the favor with a 91-84 stunner — drilling 15 threes at nearly 48% accuracy.
Four players who torched Gilas are back, including the explosive Mohammad Al-Bachir Gadiaga and Ting-Chien Lin, both of whom dropped 21 points. Add sniper Cheng Liu, veteran shooter Chun Hsiang Lu, and naturalized 7-footer Brandon Gilbeck, and it’s a deep, versatile lineup coached by Italian strategist Gianlucca Tucci.
The possible addition of the Hinton brothers (Adam and Robert, both US NCAA players) and Joseph Lin (brother of NBA veteran Jeremy Lin) only adds more danger.
Next Up: New Zealand (August 7)
Gilas fell hard to the Tall Blacks, 87-70, in Auckland earlier this year. That team’s Tohi Smith-Milner dominated with 25 points and 9 rebounds — and he’s back, alongside floor general Taylor Britt, who dished 13 assists against the Philippines last November.
While some veterans remain — like Jordan Ngatai and Max Darling — it’s New Zealand’s youth movement that could shock. Six players are 23 or younger, including 6-foot-11 Ben Gold (Marquette), Taine Murray (Virginia), and Mojave King, drafted by the Lakers in 2023.
Don’t underestimate them. They’re young, but long, athletic, and deadly from deep.
Final Match: Iraq (August 9)
While not as high-profile, Iraq brings size and grit. A slip-up here could be fatal to Gilas’ quarterfinal hopes. Only the top team in the group moves straight to the quarterfinals, while second and third placers fight it out in a playoff to make the top eight.
What Needs to Change?
Defense. Gilas gave up 13 threes to New Zealand in their last encounter and averaged 84.8 points allowed across February. That won’t cut it.
Offense. Brownlee can’t do it alone. Others — particularly the local guards and wings — need to step up, hit their shots, and keep the ball moving.
Coach Cone has the pieces. But with the absence of Sotto, no margin for error, and two revenge-hungry opponents waiting, Gilas must send a loud message in Game 1: We’re still a threat. We’re still Gilas.
The fight begins Wednesday, August 6, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Buckle up.
