MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas is eyeing to hold its training camp in Doha, Qatar in the middle of February as part of its build up for its two road games against Taiwan and New Zealand February in the final window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
National team manager Richard del Rosario bared that initial plans include joining a tournament in Qatar.
“On the second week of February we are planning to go to Doha and join a tournament before heading to Taipei and New Zealand. No final details yet because it’s still on the planning stage,” Del Rosario told The Manila Times.
The Philippines faces Taiwan on ebruary 20 followed by New Zealand on February 23 in a pair of away games.
Gilas looks to close the final window with victories, having swept the first four games in the two windows in 2024.
The Filipinos were merciless against the Taiwanese whom they obliterated, 106-53 during the February 2024 window at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Gilas also knocked down New Zealand in its home game last November, 93-89, marking the first time the Philippines defeated the former Oceanian basketball powerhouse since 2016.
The national team will enjoy longer preparation for the last FIBA window as the PBA takes a breather from the Commissioner’s Cup, which could happen between February 8 to 10.
The PBA already started the New Year with games last Sunday and will have more matches played in the entire January, before halting temporarily in early February as part of the league’s support to Gilas.
Gilas Pilipinas already secured a spot in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 set in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in August
and will try to complete a sweep of the qualifying phase.
