MANILA (Philippines) - The Philippines are set to parade a slightly different team from the usual for Window 3 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers after some of their key cogs excused themselves.
Justin Brownlee still leads Gilas' 12-man lineup released by the Samahang Baskebol ng Pilipinas (SBP) on Thursday but he and the regulars will have fresh faces around for their games against Australia and New Zealand.
Highly touted forward Mike Phillips is bound for his FIBA debut although he's already grown familiar with 'JB' and the others after being part of the men's team that ruled the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in 2023.
Returning to national duties, on the other hand, are Troy Rosario and Justine Baltazar.
Himself a seasoned internationalist, Rosario last played for the Philippines in the previous World Cup Qualifiers, while Baltazar is set to don the Gilas jersey the first time since the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers.
Both players, though, have already been brought back to the program by Coach Tim Cone way before Window 3, and familiarity shouldn't be an issue whatsoever as they've been training with the present-day squad.
The trio will take the places of Calvin Oftana, Kai Sotto, and Quentin Millora-Brown.
Oftana had to beg off for the June 29-July 6 competitions as he's set to undergo foot surgery and rest his injured calf. Millora-Brown is reportedly hurt as well, while Sotto is planning to play in the NBA Summer League.
Completing the team are RJ Abarrientos, June Mar Fajardo, AJ Edu, Chris Newsome, Kevin Quiambao, Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, and Scottie Thompson - all of which suited up back in Window 2 last February.
The Philippines will play both of their games this window on the road. They will head to Auckland first to face the Tall Blacks on July 3, and then fly to Perth to take on the Boomers on July 6.
FIBA