The Gilas Pilipinas men’s basketball squad will go up against Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei in Group B at the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers’ opening window slated next month.
According to the schedule posted by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) on Thursday, Gilas will take on Hong Kong on Feb. 22 at the Tsuen Wan Stadium.
Then, it will be against Chinese Taipei at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Feb. 25.
Also included in Group B is New Zealand, which will face Chinese Taipei on Feb, 22.
A total of 24 teams will participate in the qualifiers, distributed across different groups.
In Group A are Australia, Thailand, Korea, and Indonesia. Group C comprises of China, Guam, Japan, and Mongolia, while Group D consists of Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, and Saudi. Iran, India, Kazakhstan, and Qatar make up Group E, and Group F includes Bahrain, Syria, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates.
The teams will compete for the coveted 16 slots at the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, which is set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The qualifiers will adopt a home-and-away format, spanning three windows scheduled for February and November 2024, as well as February 2025.
Furthermore, the 16 qualified teams for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 will secure berths in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Qualifiers alongside host Qatar.
Meanwhile, Ginebra coach Tim Cone has emerged as the frontrunner among several candidates being considered by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to lead Gilas, according to Homer Sayson of Spin.PH, quoting multiple sources.
The SBP, in its pursuit of a more inclusive and fan-friendly coach, has initiated the search for a potential Gilas mentor.
Cone’s extensive coaching experience, both domestically and internationally, coupled with his diplomatic approach towards players and officials, positions him as a top choice.
His notable success in guiding the Gilas squad to a gold medal finish at the Asian Games, overcoming the formidable China, further strengthens his candidacy.