Gilas Pilipinas defeats Jordan to cap off 2025 FIBA Asia Cup preparations

Gilas Pilipinas’ final preparations for the upcoming 2025 FIBA Asia Cup ended in the best possible fashion after they defeated Jordan, 75–61, in their final tune-up game on Sunday, August 3 (Philippine Standard Time), at the Al Ahli Sports Club in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The game was held behind closed doors, and therefore, very few details were provided by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP). However, Gilas went into halftime with a 40–29 lead and eventually cruised to victory on the back of crucial fourth-quarter three-pointers from Dwight Ramos, Calvin Oftana, Scottie Thompson, and Kevin Quiambao.

Notably, Oftana received some much-needed game time after missing their first tune-up game against the Macau Black Bears due to multiple knee injuries. Gilas have now won both of their tune-up games, but despite the victories, head coach Tim Cone believes the team is not yet at the level required.

Gilas Pilipinas wins vs Jordan for their last tune-up for the FIBA Asia Cup, 75-61, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 🇵🇭

Video from SBP Instagram pic.twitter.com/mypbOBirAf

— Dyan Castillejo (@DYANCASTILLEJO) August 3, 2025

“Well, I’m just looking for a measurement of where we are in terms of preparedness. So I think that is really the key—to see how prepared we are. I don’t think we are there yet, but I think these games will go a long way in helping us get to where we want to be,” Cone said to the media.

While Cone was encouraged by Oftana’s return, no update was provided on the status of eight-time PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo. The center has been dealing with a calf injury since the Philippine Cup semifinals, and his participation remains in doubt due to limited game time.

Cone and his men have two more days to practice and finalize tactics before opening their FIBA Asia Cup campaign against Chinese Taipei on Wednesday, August 6 (Philippine Standard Time). The Philippine men’s national team has been drawn into Group D, along with Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, and Iraq. They will face New Zealand on August 7, and complete the group stage against Iraq on August 9.

Each team will play the others once in a single round-robin format, with the top team earning a direct quarterfinal berth. The second- and third-ranked teams will compete in a crossover playoff. The quarterfinals, semifinals, third-place match, and final will all follow a single-game knockout format.

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