MIES (Switzerland) - Three perennial continental contenders will be missing some of their biggest draws in Window 4 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers that raises its curtains later this week.
The Philippines will have to play without Justin Brownlee as he still recovering from a slew of injuries, meaning one less star in the August 27-31 games - games that mark the commencement of the Second Round.
He's become the latest to be sent to the sick bay after Sina Vahedi of Iran - whom Gilas will actually be facing on the 30th at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City - and former Asia Cup TISSOT MVP Wael Arakji of Lebanon.
What happened?
Back in Window 3, 'JB' actually played in their narrow loss to New Zealand in Auckland, but was ruled out against Australia at home due to knee, hamstring, and ankle issues, according to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Not long after, he flew back home to the States for some badly needed rest and recovery, and was expected to return to Manila ahead of the fourth window to prepare with his team for a busy summer ahead.
Also eyed to play in the 19th Asian Games in Japan, Brownlee has yet to rejoin Gilas, with Coach Tim Cone admitting that his prized winger "doesn’t feel like he’s really healthy enough to contribute."
So, the Philippines will have to play without a reinforcement for the first time in the World Cup Qualifiers when they face Jalen Harris and Jordan, and against a Team Melli side that's been missing Vahedi.
A member of the Asia Cup 2025 All-Star Five, the 24-year-old playmaker suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury while playing for the New Taipei Kings during the East Asia Super League Finals.
Vahedi is reportedly expected to be out for at least 6 to 9 months.
Since that unfortunate development, he's been out since Window 3, leaving the Iranians without their star guard although they still managed to finish the First Round strongly with a 5-1 win-loss record.
Also ending the First Round with a similar card were the Cedars and they're surely out to maintain their good standing in Window 4, although it would surely be challenging to do so without their main man.
Like Vahedi, Arakji injured his ACL while playing for Al Riyadi in Game 2 of their Lebanese Basketball Championship Finals against Sagesse SC although his club did enough to win the best-of-7 series that went the limit.
Still, it was bad news not just for the successful ball club but for the national team as well, for they will have to try to bring the country back to the World Cup for a second time in a row without the 31-year-old.
Time to shine?
With a glass-half-full approach, their absences should be an opportunity for the others to step up - and for their fellow stars to shine, too, given how crucial this point of World Cup qualification is soon becoming.
The Philippines, for one, have welcomed Kai Sotto back after nearly two years, making the crew a favorite in Group E as it has one of Asia's best big men leading a team that's in the midst of a 4-game losing skid.
Also, Coach Tim Cone has continued what's becoming a practice of bringing in new names to the initially compact pool. Recently, they brought in an intriguing big man in Justin Arana, who's been a rising star in the PBA.
Iran, on the other hand, announced just this Tuesday, August 25, that Mohammad Amini is running it back with the 3-time Asia Cup champions.
A member of French club SLUC Nancy who's also coming off an NBA Summer League stint with the Boston Celtics, the 21-year-old guard last played for Iran in the 2025 Asia Cup, where the team won bronze.
Then of course there are the Cedars, who have been utilizing fresher talent in the ongoing World Cup Qualifiers, with Jihad El Khatib leading the youth brigade as the program is apparently building for the future as well.
Young El Khatib was recently awarded the Rising Star in the First Round of the Asian Qualifiers - possibly a signal for more big performances to come in the future.
FIBA