ALL PBA PLAYERS FOR NOW IN GILAS' FIRST PRACTICE FOR FIBA WINDOW

IT’S an all-PBA show for the moment when Gilas Pilipinas holds its first practice for the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.

Members of the national team based overseas won’t be able to make it to its maiden practice for the year as they won’t be released by their respective mother teams until this week.

READ Kai Sotto won't play in Gilas matches vs Australia, New Zealand

"Only PBA players," was Gilas coach Tim Cone’s curt reply on what to expect when the nationals gather on Monday at the Upper Deck Sports Center.

Among those expected to report are naturalized player Justin Brownlee, Scottie Thompson, RJ Abarrientos, June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Chris Newsome, and Calvin Oftana

Meanwhile, three players in Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, and Quentin Millora-Brown will be coming in from the Japan B.League, while Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo are both arriving from their Korean Basketball League base.

Already ruled out of the FIBA window is returning 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto, who was nonetheless booked to fly home on Sunday after the Koshigaya Alphas' loss to Shibuya.

The start of the 10-day grind for Gilas is exactly the time frame Cone asked from the PBA to allow the team to practice for its tough games against Fiba Asia powerhouse squads Australia and New Zealand.

The Filipinos kick off their second window campaign against the Tall Blacks on Feb. 26 at the Mall of Asia Arena, followed by their showdown against the Boomers on March 1, also at the MoA Arena.

Gilas and Australia currently share the lead in Group A on 2-0 slates, followed by New Zealand and Guam at 0-2.

Once the Gilas overseas boys arrive, the Gilas training camp shifts to the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna where the team is expected to practice behind closed doors for a few days prior to the start of the second window.

2026-02-15T14:15:03Z