Gilas Pilipinas faces Chinese Taipei, NZ in final 2025 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers

Sports

AFTER an unproductive campaign in Doha, Qatar, Gilas Pilipinas returns to action for the third and final window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.

The Nationals will take on Chinese Taipei at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 20 at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gym.

Then at 10 a.m. on Sunday, February 23, Gilas will battle New Zealand at the Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand.

Gilas went 4-0 (win-loss) in the first two windows, a hot streak that enabled them to qualify to the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup to be held in Saudi Arabia in August.

Though already assured of a seat in this year’s FIBA Asia Cup, the Filipinos are still looking to post more wins to secure a better seeding.

Gilas prevailed over Chinese Taipei and New Zealand in their previous meetings.

Gilas’ 93-89 upset win over New Zealand was a big one as it was the country’s first win over the Tall Blacks in a FIBA-sanctioned tournament. It was Gilas’ first win against New Zealand in eight years as the Tall Blacks were 5-0 against the Filipinos before Gilas escaped with the four-point win last November 21 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Gilas flew to Taipei last Tuesday, February 18, after playing three friendlies in Doha, Qatar. The Nationals went just 1-2 in the Doha friendlies.(CCM)