Another FIBA international qualifying window for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup is right around the corner and Gilas Pilipinas is already scrambling for bodies, particularly in the frontcourt. 

The Philippines will be without Quentin Millora-Brown, Kai Sotto, and Calvin Oftana, while the statuses of June Mar Fajardo, Justin Brownlee, Japeth Aguilar, Troy Rosario, and even Bennie Boatwright remain up in the air as of this writing. 

Millora-Brown went under the knife to address back problems he suffered during the B.League season, while Oftana will take a step back from international duty to sort out an issue with his toe through surgery after the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals. Fajardo was also supposed to sit out this FIBA international window to go under the knife, but he could be called up and push his plans back until the end of the PBA season. 

Sotto is reportedly set to try his luck in the NBA Summer League and Gilas is very much supportive of this and he will gain some experience playing against high-level talent. 

The likes of Brownlee, Aguilar, and Rosario may not be sidelined, but they are definitely going to be drained from the Commissioner’s Cup finals, which is currently tilted in their favor thanks to the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings taking a 2-1 series lead over the TNT Tropang 5G. If the series ends on June 12, Gilas Pilipinas will likely have them for two to three weeks before Gilas Pilipinas’ July 3 matchup against New Zealand. 

Even the recent chaos in the Philippine Senate has affected the naturalization of Boatwright, who may have to wait longer before he can finally suit up for the Philippines. 

Given the shortage in big men, there is a chance many young players could get called up for the first time, with the most notable one being Mike Phillips. This technically won’t be Phillips’ first rodeo with the national team, as he already suited up for Gilas in the SEA Games. 

However, this will be his first Gilas Pilipinas callup in FIBA international competition and the talent is stronger and more seasoned. Of course, Phillips too has grown since his 2023 SEA Games stint, and he will thrive off the relentless energy that has made him one of the toughest competitors in the UAAP. 

Of course, head coach Tim Cone can opt for smaller lineups with Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo in the fold, but that may affect what they usually bring to the national team. Cone could also tap big men from the PBA. Justin Arana has slowly but surely found his footing with the Converge FiberXers and could be effective in spurts off the bench. However, his inexperience could show against New Zealand, who can be punishing for even the most experienced players. 

Another option could be Isaac Go, who has continued to work his way back from a long recovery process but has experience playing for the national team. However, he will likely look to rest after the finals as he looks to return to pre-injury form. 

Even with their frontcourt decimated, Gilas Pilipinas still has options to explore. Time isn’t on their side, but when has it ever been? The Philippines can only push forward and play with the cards they are dealt with, a narrative they have often worked through, but one that now takes a tough turn.