MANILA, Philippines — Following a tough 0–2 window in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Gilas Pilipinas veteran Chris Newsome emphasized that the national team must maintain its high standard of play regardless of who is available to suit up.
Gilas entered the second window of the qualifiers facing significant lineup challenges. The team was without its main anchor, Kai Sotto, and faced uncertainty regarding the status of several other key players.
- The Challenges: Newsome noted that injuries and conflicting schedules with international leagues (like Japan’s B.League and Korea’s KBL) are simply part of the modern game.
- The Standard: “Regardless of who’s in our lineup, we have to play the same brand of basketball,” Newsome told the Inquirer. He stressed that the expectation to compete at a high level remains the same, whether the “full core” is present or not.
Newsome pointed out that their opponents, Australia and New Zealand, also deal with similar availability issues, with players coming in from the NBL and other global leagues.
- The Results: Gilas suffered losses to both the Tall Blacks and the Boomers during this window at the Mall of Asia Arena.
- Personal Resilience: Newsome himself played through a lingering MCL injury sustained during the PBA Philippine Cup, highlighting his commitment to the “next man up” mentality he advocates for the entire squad.
Despite the two losses, Gilas Pilipinas has already qualified for the second round of the qualifiers. The focus now shifts to the third window, where Coach Tim Cone hopes to have a healthier and more complete pool to continue building the team’s long-term chemistry.