Gilas Pilipinas has all hands on deck despite absences in upcoming FIBA Window

Gilas Pilipinas is heading into the second round of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers with all hands on deck as the Philippine men’s basketball team looks to boost its chances of qualifying for the World Cup for the fourth straight time.

The Philippines is grouped with Australia, Iran, Jordan, New Zealand, and Syria in the second round. Only the top four teams in the group will directly qualify for the World Cup.

“Yeah, the margin of error has really dissipated for us. Like I've been saying over the last few weeks, this is all hands on deck. We're trying to get everybody to show up,” Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone said on Friday.

Unfortunately, the team will be without the services of several key players in the upcoming window, including Kai Sotto, who is still working on his bid to join an NCAA team in the United States, and Mike Phillips, who has a personal matter to attend to. Quentin Millora-Brown, meanwhile, is doubtful after undergoing back surgery.

Still, Cone is determined to get the most out of the players available once the team begins training.

“June Mar [Fajardo] wanted to retire, but we pulled him back in for the window. Although he's doubtful for the Asian Games. We certainly have our issues. It's really on me to make sure we get all the best players,” Cone said.

“We haven't been able to do that. I've been failing in my job because I just haven't been able to get all the best players. But we still got Dwight [Ramos], Carl [Tamayo], KQ [Kevin Quiambao], and Justin [Brownlee].

“We're going to put up a fight here. AJ Edu is still playing. We'd like a little bit more size, but it is what it is.”

The national team will begin training on Monday for the upcoming window. A separate training program for the Asian Games team, meanwhile, will be handled by Cone's deputies.

The Philippines, which currently owns a 2-4 record, will face Jordan on August 28 and Iran on August 30.

—GMA News