The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has announced the Gilas Pilipinas final 12 who will face Jordan in the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
As expected, Kai Sotto will lead the squad, making his first appearance for the national team in this qualifying cycle. The 7‑foot‑3 big man missed the previous three windows while recovering from an ACL injury and attending to personal matters.
The Rest of Gilas Pilipinas
Joining Sotto are Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Juan Gomez de Liaño, Carl Tamayo, Cjay Perez, Kevin Quiambao, June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, Troy Rosario, Chris Newsome, and Justine Baltazar. RJ Abarrientos and Justin Arana were the two players left out for the Jordan game.
Ramos, Edu, Tamayo, Quiambao, Fajardo, and Newsome have featured in all three windows and remain fixtures in Tim Cone’s Gilas Pilipinas. Thompson and Perez played in the first two windows but missed the third due to injuries. Gomez de Liaño suited up in the second and third, while Rosario and Baltazar joined in the third.
It’s the Young Core’s Time Now
There is little surprise in Cone’s final 12. Each has already represented Gilas Pilipinas and all have been part of the pool at least twice. The core has largely stayed intact throughout Cone’s tenure. However, the squad will be without Justin Brownlee, who is still recovering from multiple leg injuries.
Without the safety net of an all‑world playmaker, Gilas Pilipinas must rely solely on local talent. That places added pressure on Sotto, whom Cone considers the team’s anchor. Sharing the responsibility are Quiambao, Ramos, Edu, Tamayo, and Gomez de Liaño—together with Sotto, they form a younger, talented core expected to carry the flag in international competition.
Put simply, Gilas Pilipinas is their team now, and this is their chance to prove they are ready for the responsibility.
Gilas versus Jordan tips off later today at 8:30 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
