Gilas to start Monday practices on July 7, face Macau Black Bears in send-off

Gilas Pilipinas guard Dwight Ramos. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.MANILA — Gilas Pilipinas is expected to start their preparations for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup next week.

Originally set to start last June 30, the Nationals have decided to reschedule it for Monday, July 7, head coach Tim Cone shared following Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s 100-90 win against the San Miguel Beermen.

Gilas’ once-a-week practices will run parallel to the ongoing PBA Playoffs wherein Cone, as well as Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, and Jamie Malonzo, are still competing.

Aside from them, San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez, and TNT’s Calvin Oftana are also currently in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, Kevin Quiambao, who is set to fly to the United States for his camp in hopes of joining an NBA Summer League squad, is expected to miss a couple of practices as the Las Vegas tournament runs from July 10 to 20.

On the other hand, overseas players Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, and Carl Tamayo, together with Chris Newsome and Justin Brownlee, are all poised to join the practices.

The official camp of Gilas will only officially open at the end of the PBA Finals later this month. A part of their preparations is a send-off, friendly match against the Macau Black Bears on July 28 at the Araneta Coliseum.

“Playing tuneup games before Gilas dives into the FIBA Asia Cup will only help the team out,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Al Panlilio in a statement.

“While the team gets good competition, it’s also an opportunity for our Gilas fans to band together and send their team off before they fly out to Saudi Arabia. It’s a short preparation window as many of our players saw action in the semifinals of the Philippine Cup, which was another reason why the SBP wanted Gilas to have a tuneup game here.”

After this game, the Philippines will be facing New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, and Iraq in the group stage of the continental meet which will be held from August 5 to 17 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.