Gilas Pilipinas is all set to fly to Doha, Qatar on February 13 for a series of friendlies before facing Chinese Taipei and New Zealand on the road in Window 3 of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

The Philippines has already booked passage to the 2025 quadrennial event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia this August on the strength of its 4-0 record in Group B. Coach Tim Cone is looking at the three tune-up games in Doha, which will host the 20th FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2027, and the away games against Chinese Taipei on February 20 and the Tall Blacks on February 23, as overall preparation for the big tournament six months from now.

“The basic thing is, we’re using this Doha trip as a chance to prepare, not for this immediate window because we have already qualified, but as a preparation for the FIBA Asia in August,” Cone said.

“We’re not 100 % sure of how many preparation days we’ll have in August, so this Doha trip will be a chance to integrate the previously injured guys, AJ Edu and Jamie Malonzo, and play games with them, as well as learn to adjust to playing without our key guy, Kai Sotto.”

Cone said the Qatar games got the green light only because of one reason.

“To be honest, if we were not already qualified, we would not be going to Doha. We would instead take that time to really focus on beating Chinese Taipei and NZ. We understand the travel will be tough going from Doha to Taipei to New Zealand in a matter of days, but the tougher the better as we prepare.”

Amidst these updates, SBP announces that their partnership with their former official outfitter concluded last year and that the federation will be working with a new partner. The SBP has ensured that all Gilas teams will continue to be fully equipped for their upcoming local and international tournaments. Athletes will receive high-quality on-court and off-court apparel, compliant with tournament regulations, to perform at the top level. More details about SBP’s new outfitter will be announced soon.

Gilas, ranked 34th in the world by FIBA, takes on No. 92 Qatar on February 15 at 1:30 am, No. 29 Lebanon on February 15 at 11 pm, and No. 38 Egypt on February 17 at 1:30 am (all in Manila time).

Officially out of the lineup for the rest of the year is 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto, who has had the torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee surgically repaired on February 2, with recent Barangay Ginebra San Miguel addition Troy Rosario taking his place in the roster. Sotto suffered the injury during a game with his Japan B.League team Koshigawa Alphas.

“He’ll be out for maybe a year. But, he’s young. Twenty-two. If you’re going to have it, now’s the time. At that age, he can easily recover from that. The medical profession is really amazing these days in what they can do,” Cone said prior to Sotto’s surgery.

“Like I always say about injuries, it’s almost cruel to say it, but this has always been the philosophy, you feel bad about injuries for ten minutes, then you move on. Because there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Also missing the Qatar games is Gilas mainstay Japeth Aguilar. De La Salle standout Mason Amos is likely to be tapped in lieu of the Barangay Ginebra star.

Gilas Pilipinas Program Director and Team Manager Alfrancis Chua sees the Qatar games as an opportunity to train further for the Qualifiers and start making the adjustments knowing Sotto won’t be around come Asia Cup.

“Kaya kami sumali, part of the training na rin for Chinese Taipei and New Zealand, especially now that Kai won’t be able to play,” said Chua, the Ginebra Governor in the PBA and SMC Sports Director.

“Instead of practicing here, mas magandang experience na rin don. At least, magkakaroon sila ng teamwork at mapapalaban kami. Also, mabibigyan ng bigger role yung ibang malalaki since wala nga si Kai. At the same time, makakasama rin nila si AJ Edu.”

The Cypriot-born Edu is coming off a knee injury while Malonzo just recently returned from a calf injury sustained in April.

In the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, Gilas opened their campaign with a 94-64 road win against Hong Kong and then followed it up with a 106-53 crushing of Chinese Taipei at home.

In the second window, Gilas scored their first victory in a FIBA tournament against New Zealand in a 93-89 thriller followed by a 93-54 win over Hong Kong, both at home.

With Gilas already having a slot for the FIBA Asia Cup, the SBP’s goal now is to make sure they have the best preparation possible and this starts with the Third Window of the Qualifiers.