Gilas Pilipinas kicked off its 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers prep on a strong note, holding off Korean Basketball League (KBL) squad Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus, 81-76, during a friendly match on Thursday, August 20, at the San Miguel Corporation facility in Pasig City.
The victory provided a solid launchpad for the national team’s training camp ahead of crucial upcoming home fixtures. Playing with an all-Filipino lineup in the absence of naturalized star Justin Brownlee, Gilas managed to control the wire-to-wire battle against a prepped Korean team featuring former UP standout Gerry Abadiano.
Ulsan entered the match fresh off an 80-80 draw against the MPBL’s Abra Weavers as part of their local exhibition tour.
Head coach Tim Cone utilized the exhibition to test various tactical combinations, marked by the return of center Kai Sotto alongside pool members June Mar Fajardo, AJ Edu, Carl Tamayo, Kevin Quiambao, Troy Rosario, RJ Abarrientos, Juan Gomez de Liaño, Dwight Ramos, Justin Baltazar, and Chris Newsome. Guard duo Scottie Thompson and CJ Perez also returned to action alongside invitee Justin Arana.
The victorious tune-up serves as a crucial confidence booster for the Nationals before they battle Middle Eastern powerhouses Jordan on August 28 and Iran on August 30 in the pivotal August window.