Gilas Pilipinas gets 10-day preparation window ahead of second window of FIBA World Cup qualifiers

Timing, more than talent, has often been Gilas Pilipinas’ biggest opponent. This time, Tim Cone finally gets a break.

After weeks of coordination and calendar juggling, the Gilas coach confirmed that the national team will open its training camp on February 16—giving him the 10-day preparation window he has long pushed for ahead of the next FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.

The original plan was far from ideal.

“Our initial date was Feb.11, but we could only secure four players for practice,” Cone told sources, underscoring the familiar challenge of aligning schedules across leagues and countries.

Rather than force a half-built lineup into early workouts, Cone and the Gilas program opted for patience. The adjusted start date lines up with the arrival of key overseas-based players while still fitting the coach’s preferred preparation timeline for two high-stakes home games.

“So we’ve moved it to Feb 16, which is when the Japan and Korea guys will start trickling in,” Cone said. 

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MANILA, Philippines — Tim Cone hopes Gilas Pilipinas could get at least 10 days of practice time just before the national team’s much-awaited collision with New Zealand in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on February 26 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. pic.twitter.com/cnw46UHD7b

— The Manila Times (@TheManilaTimes) February 4, 2026

That group includes a returning Kai Sotto, now back in action with the Koshigaya Alphas after recovering from an ACL injury, along with fellow B.League standouts AJ Edu, Dwight Ramos, and Quentin Millora-Brown. From the Korean Basketball League, Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo are also expected to report.

The extra week also serves a crucial purpose closer to home. Fresh off a bruising PBA Philippine Cup Finals, June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, and Calvin Oftana will benefit from added recovery time before shifting gears back into national duty.

“The guys coming from the finals will have extended rest before restarting,” Cone noted.

Gilas will open the second window of the qualifiers on February 26 against New Zealand at the Mall of Asia Arena, before facing Australia on March 1 at the same venue. The Philippines currently sits atop Group A alongside the Boomers, both sporting perfect 2-0 records—raising the stakes for a window that could shape the group’s hierarchy.

For Cone, the reset isn’t about comfort. It’s about control—finally giving Gilas enough time to come together, settle roles, and prepare properly before stepping back onto the international stage.

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