Gilas Pilipinas training hit by PBA playoffs

Gilas Pilipinas began training on Monday, July 7, 2025, for the upcoming 2025 Fiba Asia Cup, but coach Tim Cone noted low attendance due to ongoing PBA Philippine Cup playoffs.

Several key players are unavailable as they are still competing in the PBA finals, including a Game 7 scheduled for Wednesday, which significantly impacts the initial practice sessions.

Players like Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, Troy Rosario, and Jamie Malonzo from Barangay Ginebra, and June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez from San Miguel Beermen are still active.

Calvin Oftana and Roger Pogoy of TNT Tropang Giga, who have finished their semifinals assignments, opted to rest their injured bodies instead of joining the first Gilas training.

Coach Cone has identified Troy Rosario, Zav Lucero, Rhenz Abando, and RJ Abarrientos for the "long list" to be submitted to Asia Cup organizers.

Despite the depleted squad, Coach Cone mentioned that a core group of six to eight players would suffice for the initial practices.

The team's first formal meeting is scheduled for one month before the Asia Cup, which begins on August 5 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.