MANILA — With its 2027 FIBA World Cup hopes increasingly under pressure, Gilas Pilipinas will lean on returning 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto and an all-Filipino lineup as it tries to halt a four-game losing skid against Jordan tonight at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Carrying a 2-4 record into the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, the Philippines has little room for another setback as it opens the fourth qualifying window without longtime naturalized player Justin Brownlee.
Brownlee will miss the window as he continues to recover from hamstring and knee problems. He remains in the United States and has informed the national team that he is not healthy enough to contribute.
“We’re going to be attending this window All-Filipino,” Gilas head coach Tim Cone said.
In Brownlee’s absence, Sotto’s return after two years away from the national team could prove crucial, particularly against Jordan’s physical frontcourt.
Sotto will give Gilas a formidable inside presence alongside eight-time PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo and AJ Edu as the Philippines attempts to reverse its fortunes following a difficult opening round.
“With Kai here, June Mar (Fajardo) and AJ (Edu), we feel we have the requisite size to be successful in this window,” Cone said.
The 7-foot-3 Sotto is expected to be one of the focal points of the Philippine attack and defense as Gilas tries to match Jordan’s size and physicality while ending a losing streak that has put added pressure on its World Cup campaign.
Aside from Sotto, Fajardo and Edu, the Gilas pool includes Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, Kevin Quiambao, Justin Baltazar, Juan Gomez de Liaño, RJ Abarrientos, Chris Newsome, CJ Perez, Scottie Thompson, Troy Rosario and newcomer Justin Arana.
The Philippines will have to overcome Brownlee’s absence while dealing with the urgency created by four consecutive defeats, making the Jordan showdown a crucial opportunity to regain momentum in the qualifiers.
After facing Jordan, Gilas will battle Iran on Sunday, Aug. 30, at the same venue.
The two home matches could prove pivotal to the Philippines’ bid to secure a place in the 2027 FIBA World Cup./PN
