THE Philippines takes on two formidable opponents-Jordan and Iran-in the fourth window of the FIBA 2027 World Cup Asia Qualifiers at home in August.
A month before taking on Jordan on August 28 and Iran on Augusty 30 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, head coach Tm Cone is faced with several options but with one goal-form a consistent Gilas Pilipinas core.
‘We must have a consistent core,’ Cone told the BusinessMirror on Monday.
‘Jordan and Iran are absolutely crucial games for us and for our countrymen and obviously, we must deepen our preparation against them,’ he added.
Cone said he’s looking at 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto and 6-foot-10 Quentin Milloria-Brown-but Sotto’s commitment isn’t solid.
‘We’re not yet sure about Kai…where he is going to be exactly at that time,’ said Cone of Sotto, who skipped national team duties to focus on his National Basketball Association dream.
Milloria-Brown’s not 100 percent, too.
‘QMB is coming from [back] injury,’ he said.
Even Justin Brownlee’s health isn’t a sure thing-he’s sidelined with a right hamstring strain, right peroneal tendinopathy and left knee swelling with cartilage defects.
So Cone’s best option at the naturalized player spot would be Benny Boatwright.
Boatwright’s naturalization has passed the Senate and his fate now lies on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
If Benny Boatwright gets the approval, we must put him in practice to familiarize himself with our system,’ Cone said.
Thus, Gilas Pilipinas needs to sweep Jordan and Iran to fan its hopes for the 32-nation World Cup Qatar is hosting next year.
‘We play at home and we have to make sure we play our best,’ Cone said.