Head coach Tim Cone said Gilas Pilipinas must win at least one of its two upcoming road games to improve its position ahead of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers second round.
Gilas Pilipinas holds a 2-2 record in Group A and has already advanced to the second round. The team faces New Zealand in Auckland on July 3 and Australia in Perth on July 6.
Cone noted that failing to secure a win in either game would leave the Philippines with little margin for error against strong teams like Iran and Jordan later. He added that winning one contest would provide valuable breathing room.
The Philippines has lost its last three meetings with New Zealand and fell 93-66 to Australia in March. Gilas prepared with a training camp in Brisbane and tune-up wins of 92-61 over the Manawatu Jets and 94-66 over the Franklin Bulls.
Key absences include Kai Sotto and Quentin Millora-Brown. Newcomer Mike Phillips makes his FIBA debut alongside returning players Justine Baltazar and Troy Rosario.
