Gilas Pilipinas Men’s team manager Alfrancis Chua believes a complete roster in Window 2 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers would give the Philippines a fighting chance against New Zealand next month.
Australia, ranked No. 6 in the world, may be an entirely different proposition.
With a 2–0 record after home-and-away victories over Guam late last year, the Philippines (No. 36 in the FIBA Men’s Ranking) faces New Zealand (No. 25) on February 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Gilas Men then take on Australia on March 1, also at 7:30 p.m. at the same venue.
The Philippines is bracketed in Group A with Australia, New Zealand, and Guam, looking to finish in the top three in the first round to stay in contention for a spot in the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar.
Chua, who also serves as the Philippine Elite and Youth Men’s Program Director, acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting that the Tall Blacks have won six of their last seven meetings with Gilas Men. On the other end, according to records, the only time a predecessor of the modern-day Boomers lost to a Filipino team was during the 1974 FIBA World Championship in Puerto Rico, led by Bogs Adornado, Ramon Fernandez, Manny Paner, and Jimmy Mariano.
“Alam naman natin na talagang malakas yung parehong team,” Chua said. “Yung New Zealand, if you saw their game against Australia [in the first round], dikdikan ang laban at nagkatalo na lang sa three points. The level of their game, masyado nang mataas. Naitatanong ko nga minsan kung bakit nasama silang dalawa sa FIBA Asia e. Kaya lang andiyan na ’yan, so wala na tayong magagawa.”
Australia and New Zealand were formerly part of FIBA Oceania before being integrated into FIBA Asia in 2017, over initial resistance from traditional Asian powerhouses China and Iran.
Despite the odds, Chua believes Gilas Men can be competitive against New Zealand with a complete roster.
“I hope we have a full lineup, especially Kai [Sotto], sana healthy na siya,” he said. “I think if we are complete, then maybe we can compete.”
The 7-foot-3 Sotto suffered an ACL tear in January 2025 while playing in the Japan B.League and underwent reconstructive surgery. In a positive sign, Sotto has made regular appearances at recent Gilas Men games and is expected to attend team practices—initially as a spectator—once national coach Tim Cone reconvenes following the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
Chua also emphasized the importance of home-court support, recalling Gilas Men’s 93–89 upset of New Zealand in a heated FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers game in November 2024 at a packed MOA Arena.
“We need the help of the fans again para mas ganahan maglaro yung mga players natin,” he said. “Kasi mabibigat talaga yung kalaban.”
Justin Brownlee, who finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds in front of 11,686 fans in that win, will once again anchor Gilas Men, according to Chua, who is also the board governor and team manager of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the PBA.
“We still trust him. The players still like him. And yung chemistry ng team, pag nandoon siya, gumaganda,” Chua said.
