Gilas second window lineup still open to changes ahead of Australia clash in FIBA qualifiers 

Gilas Pilipinas’ roster for the second window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers may already be set for its opening assignment, but head coach Tim Cone made it clear that the lineup remains flexible heading into the team’s next matchup against Australia.

The national team finalized its 12-man lineup for the game against New Zealand, leaving Justine Baltazar, RJ Abarrientos, and Troy Rosario as the final cuts. However, their chances of seeing action in the same window remain alive since all three are still part of the 18-man pool submitted earlier by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Cone emphasized that the roster is being managed on a game-to-game basis, especially with the short turnaround between matchups and the evolving needs of the team.

“We’ll see how things go. But no matter what happens, the players who don’t make it are still very much a part of the program and part of the pool, and can very well be the next guy up in the next window,” said Cone.

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Juan GdL predictably made the final cut for the New Zealand game – his first return to Gilas action since 2023 – but Converge teammate Justine Baltazar was excluded despite an ability to bring size to the wing position.

Unsurprisingly, Rj Abarrientos, Troy Rosario were left out. pic.twitter.com/EOBEq6nP7M

— PBA insider (@PBAinsider) February 26, 2026

The flexibility also accounts for the absence of several pool members during the buildup, including naturalized big man Ange Kouame, forward Jamie Malonzo, and 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto.

For the New Zealand assignment, Gilas leaned on a balanced core led by veteran center June Mar Fajardo and naturalized star Justin Brownlee, along with rising frontcourt options AJ Edu and Quentin Millora-Brown.

The perimeter rotation features steady contributors Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, CJ Perez, Kevin Quiambao, Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, and Scottie Thompson, with rookie guard Juan Gomez de Liaño serving as the new face for this window.

With another high-level test looming against Australia, Gilas’ final combination could still shift—proof that competition within the pool remains just as crucial as the results on the floor.

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