Gilas arrives in Doha for mini tournament ahead of Fiba qualifiers
Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone during the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines— Gilas Pilipinas has arrived in Doha, Qatar as part of its preparations for the final window of the qualifiers and the Fiba Asia Cup itself.
In Doha, the Nationals will compete in the 2nd Doha International Cup that also features Qatar, Lebanon and Egypt from February 15 to 17 before flying out for their away games in the Asia Cup qualifiers.
READ: Gilas Pilipinas gets things going ahead of Doha friendlies, qualifiers
“The delegation of the Philippine team arrived in Doha to participate in the second Doha International Championship held at the Qatar University Stadium,” wrote the Qatar Basketball Federation in a post on Thursday.
View this post on Instagram
Ginebra core members Jamie Malonzo, Justin Brownlee, Troy Rosario and Scottie Thompson, who posed for several fans in the airport upon the team’s arrival, lead Gilas Pilipinas in the pocket tournament.
TNT gunner Calvin Oftana and San Miguel Beer stars CJ Perez and June Mar Fajardo will also fortify the Nationals alongsid Japan B.League and Korean Basketball League Filipino imports Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo.
READ: Justin Brownlee gears up for Gilas stint after leading Ginebra to semis
Upcoming La Salle cager Mason Amos, and Chris Newsome, following Meralco Bolts’ campaign in the East Asia Super League, have also joined Gilas.
Gin Kings coach and Gilas tactician Tim Cone leads the Gilas coaching delegation alongside deputies Richard Del Rosario, Sean Chambers, Jong Uichico.
Program director Alfrancis Chua and PBA commissioner Willie Marcial also flew in with the team.
Gilas’ first order of business in Qatar will be against the home bets at Qatar University Stadium at 1:30 am, Manila time.
