Training Camp Kicks Off in Qatar
Gilas Pilipinas begins a high-stakes training camp in Doha, Qatar, starting with a friendly match against the Qatar national team at the University of Qatar. The game is set for Saturday at 1:30 a.m., marking the first of three exhibition games aimed at sharpening their roster for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup.
The Filipino squad arrived in Qatar on Thursday night, ready to begin their preparations.
Roster Updates: Sotto Sidelined, Malonzo & Edu Return
The team will miss the presence of Kai Sotto, who is still recovering from ACL surgery. However, the return of Jamie Malonzo and AJ Edu provides a significant boost to Gilas’ frontcourt.
Head coach Tim Cone is focused on seamlessly reintegrating Malonzo and Edu into the team. For Edu, this will be his first time playing under Cone’s system, making his integration a top priority. Edu previously suffered a knee injury while playing in Japan’s B. League, which kept him out of action during the second leg of the Asia Cup qualifiers.
Upcoming Matches & Grueling Schedule
Gilas has a tight turnaround after facing Qatar:
- February 17 – Lebanon (11:00 p.m.)
- February 19 – Egypt (1:30 a.m.)
The squad will head back to Manila on February 19 before immediately departing for Chinese Taipei on February 18 to begin the third and final leg of the Asia Cup qualifiers:
- February 20 – vs. Taiwan
- February 23 – vs. New Zealand (Tall Blacks) in Auckland
Asia Cup Qualification & Qatar’s 2027 FIBA World Cup Preparations
- The Philippines and Lebanon have already qualified for the FIBA Asia Cup.
- Qatar is still fighting for a qualification spot in Group E.
- The Qatar Basketball Federation is hosting these friendly games as part of its preparations for the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
With a grueling schedule and key players returning, Gilas Pilipinas is set to test its depth and chemistry ahead of the Asia Cup. Fans can expect high-intensity matchups as the team fine-tunes its roster and strategy for the upcoming tournament.
