Gilas Pilipinas will sharpen its form for the final window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers with a pair of tune‑up games in New Zealand later this month, facing two professional National Basketball League (NBL) squads — the Manawatu Jets and the Franklin Bulls.
The national team departs for New Zealand on Tuesday, June 23, kicking off its brief overseas camp ahead of its crucial away matches. Gilas opens its tune‑up schedule on June 28 against the Jets at Fly Palmy Arena in the Manawatu–Whanganui region, a venue known for its passionate local following. Two days later, the Filipinos head south to challenge the Bulls at the Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre, home of one of the NBL’s most competitive and community‑driven clubs.
The Bulls, eager to host an international squad of Gilas’ stature, expressed their excitement ahead of the rare matchup.
“It’s very rare to get to see a team like the Philippines in person, let alone at home at the Stockyard. The Bulls can’t wait to host Gilas Pilipinas and we are excited to welcome fans of both teams. This is going to be a great exhibition of basketball,” said Scott Kelso, Bulls Club Director, via bullsbasketball.nz.
Both the Jets and Bulls compete in New Zealand’s National Basketball League, the country’s top-tier professional competition that has produced several players who later moved to the Australian NBL and international leagues.
The tune‑ups form a key part of Gilas’ preparation under head coach Tim Cone, who is steering the squad into a challenging two‑game road stretch. The Philippines opens the official window on July 3 against the New Zealand Tall Blacks in Auckland, before flying to Perth for a July 6 clash with the Australia Boomers at RAC Arena.
Before leaving Manila, Gilas will hold a media and fans day on Monday night at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan — the public’s final chance to see the team before its overseas campaign.
Cone will be without his two young frontline anchors, Kai Sotto and Quentin Millora‑Brown, both unavailable for the window. To reinforce the interior, Gilas has tapped UAAP Season 88 MVP Mike Phillips and Converge big man Justine Baltazar, who are expected to provide size, energy, and rebounding.
This window also marks a milestone for the 6-foot-8 Phillips, who will suit up for the first time as a locally classified player following his reclassification by FIBA. Phillips last represented the Philippines at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, where Gilas reclaimed the gold medal after defeating host Cambodia in the final.
With two tough road games ahead and a reshuffled frontcourt, the New Zealand tune‑ups offer Gilas a valuable chance to build chemistry, test rotations, and fine‑tune Cone’s system before the real battles begin.
