It's Gilas Pilipinas season yet again with the third window of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers just around the corner. Filipino hoop fans are bracing themselves for another pair of games that could boost the country's chances of claiming a spot in China next year.
How is Gilas doing so far in the tournament? Who's leading the group stages? Who are we playing next? Where can the games be watched? Get up to speed on everything Gilas and let this serve as your cheat sheet for the final window of the first round of the qualifiers.
Who's leading what group?
After two rounds, the remaining undefeated teams in the Asian qualifiers are Australia (Group B) and Jordan (Group C). China and New Zealand hold the advantage in Group A with 3-1 records. Korea (2-2) and Hong Kong (0-4) are in third and fourth, respectively. Australia (4-0) is still at the top of Group B, with Gilas Pilipinas (3-1) and Chinese Taipei (1-3) right behind. Japan is the lone winless Group B member.
Group C, which is composed mostly of nations from the Middle East, has Jordan leading at 4-0. Lebanon (3-1) is currently in second, while Syria (1-3) and India (0-4) are the bottom-half teams. Iran and Kazakhstan are tied at 3-1 to lead Group D. Qatar and Iraq, meanwhile, hold 1-3 cards.
How did Gilas do in the second window?
Gilas hung tough with the stronger and taller Boomers for the first half of the game. But Australia broke the game wide open in the second half, leading by as many as 21 points, to go on and take an 84-68 victory on its home floor. Three days later, Gilas bounced back from their only loss in the tournament and topped Japan, 89-84, at MOA Arena.
Andray Blatche had a subpar performance in Melbourne (8 points, 7 rebounds) but redeemed himself in the win against Japan (18 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists).
Troy Rosario, who had just recovered from an injury just days before the second window, also made a mark in the Japan game, providing a spark off the bench with 14 points.
Who will play for Gilas in the third window?
As far as lineups are concerned, there is nothing final yet. What is certain, however, is that Kiefer Ravena will miss the remainder of the World Cup qualifiers after getting hit with an 18-month ban by FIBA.
There were 14 players who attended the recent Gilas practice -- Jayson Castro, June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Matthew Wright, Terrence Romeo, Gabe Norwood, Jio Jalalon, Baser Amer, Carl Bryan Cruz, Calvin Abueva, Allein Maliksi and Blatche.
We also know that Gilas Cadets Abu Tratter, Ricci Rivero, Prince Rivero, Kobe Paras, Troy Rike, Vince Tolentino, and JJ Alejandro have been very active in participating in those practices as well. Which players Gilas coach Chot Reyes will bring to Taiwan is still anyone's guess right now.
What is Gilas' chance against Chinese Taipei?
The Gilas are capable of beating this team but keep in mind that Chinese Taipei, which is 1-3 so far, will play with more sense of urgency. They need at least one more victory to make it to the second round. Chinese Taipei will also play both of their games in the third window on their home court.
Gilas Pilipinas beat Chinese Taipei in the first window at Smart-Araneta Coliseum, but it was a little closer than expected. Blatche had a terrible showing (6 points on 2-for-9 shooting) and Gilas had to lean on Castro and Fajardo on offense -- the two combined for 37 points in the 90-83 win, with Pogoy and Wright adding 11 apiece.
But it looks like Gilas will face a different Chinese Taipei squad than the one they beat earlier. During their last practice, coach Reyes said Chinese Taipei has recalled a lot of its veterans. He said they expect to see different but familiar faces, saying "several of their mainstays did not play in the previous windows but are now in this pool."
How about against Australia?
Remember the Australia team that beat the Gilas badly in Melbourne? Yeah, they just got a little better. Australia added two NBA players in its fold in Matthew Dellavedova and Thon Maker (both members of the Milwaukee Bucks) as they try to keep their record unblemished in the Asian Qualifiers. Dellavedova and Maker join steady contributions Angus Brandt, Jason Cadee, and Daniel Kickert, among others.
Like always, Gilas will need Blatche to be in great condition for this matchup. Castro and Romeo could help Gilas with their drive-and-kicks, but the shooters have to knock down as many open looks as they can. Gilas also has to perform better at the free throw line to give themselves a chance against Australia. So far in this tournament, the Philippines has only shot 30 percent from downtown and 61 percent from the stripe. That clearly won't cut it against a powerhouse team like the Boomers.
What's at stake?
These games are necessary to determine which countries will play see action in the FIBA World Cup in China next year. A total of 16 teams are currently competing in the Asian qualifiers but only seven will get the chance to play in the tournament.
When the first round (windows 1-3) concludes, only 12 teams (the top 3 of each group) will advance to the second round of the Asian Qualifiers. From there, teams will again undergo three windows which will run from September 2018 to February 2019. The seven best teams after that will book a ticket to the FIBA World Cup and play against 25 other nations who have qualified in their respective regions.
Where can I watch the Gilas games?
The game against Chinese Taipei is in Taiwan and the home game against Australia will be held at the Philippine Arena.
Gilas vs. Chinese Taipei will be televised at 7 p.m. on June 29 on ESPN5, and Gilas vs. Australia will be on ESPN5 at 7:30 p.m. on July 2.
Both games will also be available via livestream on ESPN5.com.