Gilas sticks with same lineup, eyes redemption against Australia

Continuity will be the approach for Gilas Pilipinas as it heads into another high-stakes test in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, with head coach Tim Cone opting to keep the same 12-man lineup for Sunday’s showdown against Australia men’s national basketball team at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The decision comes after a heartbreaking 69-66 loss to the New Zealand men’s national basketball team, a game that showed both the promise and the growing pains of the current Gilas core.

Now sitting at 2-1, the Philippines faces an uphill climb against an unbeaten Australian side that recently handled Guam, 93-80. Rather than overhaul the rotation, Cone is leaning on familiarity—believing that experience against elite competition will ultimately sharpen the team.

“that we get by playing these guys more and more. I think it just helps us to come up with ways to be successful,” Cone said of the upcoming matchup against Australia, referencing their previous 84-60 defeat in continental play.

One of the biggest storylines entering the matchup is the expected bounce-back performance of naturalized star Justin Brownlee, who struggled mightily against New Zealand with just four points on 2-of-10 shooting while missing all four attempts from beyond the arc.

Brownlee will again anchor a deep frontline rotation alongside AJ Edu, Quentin Millora-Brown, Kevin Quiambao, Carl Tamayo, and June Mar Fajardo—a group that reflects the program’s continued shift toward length and versatility.

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Despite Brownlee’s off night, Gilas showed flashes of offensive balance, particularly from Dwight Ramos, who led the team with 16 points, and CJ Perez, who added 15 markers in an aggressive scoring effort.

Juan Gomez de Liaño also provided a spark with 10 points, including two triples, marking a strong first appearance for the national team since the 2023 qualifiers.

Completing the backcourt rotation are Calvin Oftana, Chris Newsome, and Scottie Thompson, forming a defensive-minded guard group tasked with containing Australia’s perimeter attack.

Australia enters the contest with a balanced roster led by veteran wing Mitch Creek, along with a mix of international league standouts including Nick Kay, Jack White, and Sam Froling—continuing the program’s tradition of depth and physicality.

Their structured system and size present another major challenge for Gilas, which has struggled in recent meetings against Oceania powerhouses.

Despite the narrow defeat to New Zealand, the Philippine side showed improved defensive discipline and late-game resilience—signs Cone hopes will translate into a stronger performance in the rematch against a higher-ranked opponent.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has also called on fans to wear blue for the home game, aiming to recreate the electric atmosphere that nearly fueled a comeback in the previous outing.

For Gilas, the approach is clear: stay the course, trust the chemistry being built, and turn lessons from close losses into momentum.

Against Australia, continuity will once again be put to the test.

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