Mike Phillips has been cleared by Fiba to play as a neighborhood for Gilas Pilipinas.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Mike Phillips was chosen to the 12-man roster of Gilas Pilipinas, which shall be missing some key players for the third window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
The La Salle product and MPBL standout for San Juan is about to make his international debut for the 2 road games against Australia and Latest Zealand after Fiba declared him a neighborhood player.
Gilas, nevertheless, won’t have Quentin Millora-Brown and Calvin Oftana for the conclusion of the primary round qualification, leaving coach Tim Cone with a special lineup than in previous windows.
Headlining the squad are PBA Press Corps Finals Most Worthwhile Player Scottie Thompson, Troy Rosario, Best Player of the Conference RJ Abarrientos and naturalized player Justin Brownlee, who all played key roles in Barangay Ginebra’s road to the Commissioner’s Cup title.
Also included within the 12-man roster are PBA standouts June Mar Fajardo, Chris Newsome and Justin Baltazar, together with Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo from the Korean Basketball League.
Dwight Ramos accomplished the roster because the only B.League player for the window.
Gilas could have its hands full for the qualifiers after losing to each Oceania teams at home throughout the second window in late February.
This time, the Nationals shall be travelling to Auckland for the July 3 contest with Latest Zealand before heading to Perth for the July 6 matchup against Australia.
The Philippines carries a 2-2 record in Group A, but is already assured of a spot within the second round of the qualification stage for the 2027 competition in Doha.