What’s at stake for Gilas in Australia, New Zealand battles?

MANILA, Philippines – Every game counts for Gilas Pilipinas even if it has a long journey ahead in the Asian Qualifiers for the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar. 

The Philippines faces a tall order as it hosts world No. 25 New Zealand and No. 6 Australia in the second window on February 26 and March 1, respectively, at the Mall of Asia Arena, games that will have huge implications for its bid to reach the global hoops showdown for the fourth consecutive edition.

Why do these games matter? 

Bunched in Group A that also includes Guam, world No. 36 Philippines needs at least a top-three finish to advance past the first round, which consists of three windows.

The Nationals have made headway in that quest following a two-game sweep of Guam in the opening window to raise their record to 2-0, but the challenge only grows as the team faces Australia and New Zealand in its remaining first-round matches

Historically, Gilas has struggled against both opponents in FIBA play. 

The Philippines last beat Australia in the 1974 FIBA World Championship — its record against the mighty Boomers standing at 1-6. 

Gilas owns a similar 1-6 win-loss slate against New Zealand, although it finally overcame the Tall Blacks just a little over a year ago in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in 2024 when Kai Sotto showed the way in a breakthrough 93-89 win, posting a near-triple-double of 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. 

But New Zealand has taken advantage of Sotto’s absence due to a knee injury he suffered in 2025, with the Kiwis toppling the Filipinos in their last two duels. 

Going into another encounter with New Zealand, the Philippines remains without Sotto. 

The worst-case scenario for Gilas is if it loses all its games against Australia and New Zealand and finishes the first round with a 2-4 card.

While it can still advance provided that Guam — ranked 79th in the world — posts a worse record, the Philippines will face an uphill climb fighting for a World Cup berth in the second round, where the 12 qualified teams (three from each of the four groups) will be divided into Groups E and F.

The three qualified Group A teams will play the top three teams from Group C, which includes world No. 26 Iran, No. 38 Jordan, No. 72 Syria, and No. 85 Iraq, twice in the newly formed Group E, with all of the results from the first round carried over. 

At the end of two rounds of qualifiers, only the top three teams from each of the two groups and the best fourth-placed team will secure World Cup tickets.

Gilas needs every win, as proven by its qualifying journey for the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.

The Philippines ended the first round of qualifiers in that edition with a 4-2 record, good for second in its group, but only narrowly made the World Cup as the best fourth-placed team with a 7-5 card. 

So it is imperative for Gilas to defeat Australia and New Zealand to boost its chances of qualifying for the World Cup, especially since the ultimate goal for head coach Tim Cone and his wards is to reach the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The highest-placing Asian team in the 2027 World Cup will earn direct entry to the 2028 Olympics.

And there is no better time to shock Australia and New Zealand as the Philippines enjoys home court advantage. – Rappler.com