It’s now less than a month before Gilas Pilipinas plays their last 2 games in the 3rd window of FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. But what can the 4-0 Gilas expect this time?
More Sacrifice than ever for Aguilar and Fajardo
After the recent torn ACL injury of the 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto, many fans have anticipated that the veteran big men of Gilas will play a key role in getting the wins versus New Zealand and Chinese Taipei. The 6-foot-9 Japeth Aguilar and the 6-foot-10 June Mar Fajardo have been representing their National team for more than a decade now and there is no doubt that their experience and familiarity in international games is what the team will depend on.
Considering that supposed front court partner of Kai Sotto, the 6-foot-10 AJ Edu is also still questionable if he’s eligible in the final games, Gilas would have to brace themselves for a tough challenge ahead.
Aguilar after 4 games of the Asian Cup Qualifiers is averaging 1.5 Offensive Rebounds, 0.8 Defensive Rebounds, 5.5 Total Rebounds per Game along with 0.5 Assists, 0.8 Steals, 3.5 Points while playing 6.6 minutes per game. While June Mar after 2 games averaged 3.5 ORPG, 2.0 DRPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.5 BPG, 0.5 SPG, 10 PPG, and 17.5 minutes per outing. These numbers will surely increase as the veteran front court of Gilas would play a key factor in hopefully finishing 6-0 in the Asian Qualifiers.
QMB for Gilas? Who says no?
There has been a very long conversation on whether the 6-foot-10 alumni of the UP Fighting Maroons, Quentin Millora-Brown can suit up for Gilas Pilipinas. The season 87 champion has reportedly mentioned that he is eligible to play for the National team as he had a Filipino Passport before he was 16 years old.
Gilas Team Manager Al Francis Chua responded in an interview to present his Philippine Passport and after a few days, QMB then replied in another separate interview “Absolutely, I would love to [show my passport].”
Coach Tim Cone gave a brief response on this topic in an interview with DWAR Abante Radyo’s Sports Now last January 11 2025 saying “If he’s eligible, Brown will be certainly be considered.”
Up until now, it’s still uncertain if QMB can play for the last window of the Asian Cup Qualifiers but not knowing when Kai Sotto will return to play for Gilas, there’s nothing wrong in having a spare big man to represent the Philippines.
Revenge Game for Kiwis and The Pride of Chinese Taipei
After suffering their first loss in the qualifiers last November 21, 2024, the Tall Blacks of New Zealand are out for blood this 2025 as they will have their rematch against Gilas but this time, it’ll be done on their home floor. Even though they have already qualified for the FIBA Asia Cup, they still would want to end their campaign with a 5-1 record. On the other hand, the 1-3 Chinese Taipei are doing everything they can to stay alive in the competition as they would want to be that #3 team in Group B to battle in another qualifying tournament for the final four slots to play in the FIBA Asia Cup.
It was a showdown between Gilas and the Tall Blacks when they last fought each other in Mall of Asia Arena last year and their star players led by Corey Webster and Tom Vodanovich will make sure to get the W in their home crowd. Corey after 2 games averaged 17 PPG, 3 APG, 1.5 SPG with an astonishing 57.1% field goal shooting. Vodanovich also had impressive numbers after 3 games with 15.3 PPG, 0.3 APG, 4.3 RPG and an excellent 55.2% FG.
Chinese Taipei as a team is averaging 67.8 PPG which is #16 in the tournament out of 24 teams, #10 in assists with 16.8, and #2 in steals with 10.8. Their defense will be their number one weapon in getting the win against the Philippines.
Full Potential Still Loading
With Kai Sotto out, another player will come back after his injury and that’s Jamie Malonzo. The 6’6 Forward only played one game in the Qualifiers which was against Hong Kong, China last February 22, 2024. He played 17 minutes and recorded a solid double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.
For sure he’ll be reinserted back into the lineup and be in the rotation of Head Coach Tim Cone as he would either share the floor with Gilas naturalized import Justin Brownlee or play crucial minutes while Justin sits on the bench.
More than anything this just means that Gilas fans haven’t seen the dream lineup Coach Tim had planned for the program. With the injuries of AJ Edu and Kai Sotto, the full potential of this squad is still yet to be seen which means losses can also be part of the journey. The 15-man lineup that Coach Tim Cone announced last 2024 has never been fully healthy and Gilas fans should temper their expectations in year 2 of the 5-year plan of the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas.
