After competing in the Doha International Cup, the grind doesn’t stop for Gilas Pilipinas in February with the national team set to complete the final window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers on the road.
Gilas Pilipinas have a grueling February, to say the least.
After their brief campaign in the Doha International Cup where they beat host team Qatar and succumbed to Lebanon and Egypt thereafter, the Nationals will head home first.
[RELATED STORY: Gilas succumbs anew against Egypt in Doha International Cup]
The grind continues for Gilas, which is set to compete in Window 3 of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
With an impeccable 4-0 record highlighted by a successful homestand against tormentor New Zealand in the tourney, the Filipino dribblers are already qualified for the Saudi Arabia conclave this August.
Gilas head coach Tim Cone is maximizing every chance the squad could get to prepare for the said tournament.
[ALSO READ: Doha games a chance to integrate Jamie Malonzo, AJ Edu with Gilas, says Tim Cone]
So, what’s next for Gilas?
Gilas vs. Chinese-Taipei
Gilas will lock horns with Chinese-Taipei on Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Taipei Heping Basketball gymnasium.
Match starts at 7:00 p.m. (Philippine time)
These squads last met almost a year ago during the first window of the qualifiers, where the Nationals came out blazing on their way to a one-sided 106-53 win at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
It was a reintroduction of sorts for Kai Sotto, who Cone believes can become the best in the region. He finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three blocks.
Justin Brownlee topscored with 26 points he spiked with 13 rebounds, five assists, one steal and two blocks.
[ALSO READ: FIBA: Gilas dazzles in first home game of Tim Cone era, sweeps window 1 of Asia Cup Qualifiers]
Gilas vs. New Zealand
Philippine basketball fandom reached fever pitch last Nov. 21, after the Nationals finally conquered the Tall Blacks, 93-89, on home soil.
It was the first time a Philippine squad beat New Zealand in a FIBA-sanctioned match after four tries.
Brownlee (26 points) and Kai Sotto (19 points) also led the attack for the Philippines at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
[ALSO READ: 'He's doing it all': Kai Sotto stars in Gilas Pilipinas' breakthrough win vs. New Zealand]
Three days after visiting Chinese-Taipei this month, Gilas will take on New Zealand at the Auckland Spark Arena on Sunday, Feb. 23.
Game unfurls at 3:00 p.m. (Philippine time).