Gilas takes on Qatar, Lebanon, Egypt in Doha friendlies ahead of February window

As part of its preparation for the February window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, Gilas Pilipinas will take on Qatar, Lebanon, and Egypt in a series of friendlies in Doha starting February 15.

Gilas will fly to Doha on February 13 as it hopes to use the camp to integrate AJ Edu and Jamie Malonzo who missed the previous window due to injuries.

“The basic thing is, we're using this Doha trip as a chance to prepare, not for this immediate window because we have already qualified, but as a preparation for the FIBA Asia in August,” Gilas head coach Tim Cone said.

“We're not 100% sure of how many preparation days we'll have in August, so this Doha trip will be a chance to integrate the previously injured guys, AJ Edu and Jamie Malonzo, and play games with them, as well as learn to adjust to playing without our key guy, Kai Sotto.”

Gilas will go against Qatar on February 15 at 1:30 a.m., Lebanon on February 15 at 11 p.m., and Egypt on February 17 at 1:30 a.m. (all in Manila time).

Cone previously said that the injured Kai Sotto will miss the tournament proper of FIBA Asia Cup, while Japeth Aguilar will miss the Doha camp due to personal reasons. However, Aguilar will join the team in the February window. In lieu of Aguilar, Mason Amos is likely to be tapped for the camp.

Gilas will take on Chinese Taipei and New Zealand in both away games later this month for the third window of the qualifiers. The Philippines is also already assured of a slot in the FIBA Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia in August.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News