Gilas Calls Up Phillips for FIBA Debut as Baltazar and Rosario Return

Mike Phillips is set to make his long-awaited FIBA debut after being included in the Gilas Pilipinas 12-man roster for Window 3 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.

The 23-year-old forward from De La Salle, a former UAAP Finals MVP now playing for the San Juan Knights, headlines the lineup announced by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas on Thursday. He returns to the national pool after helping the Philippines win gold at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Phillips will reunite with familiar national team teammates Justin Brownlee and Chris Newsome as Gilas prepares for its crucial away games scheduled between June 29 and July 6.

To reinforce the frontcourt, Gilas has recalled Troy Rosario and Justine Baltazar. Rosario is returning after last suiting up during the previous World Cup Qualifiers cycle, while Baltazar makes his comeback following a long absence since the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers.

Several players are unavailable for this window: Calvin Oftana and Quentin Millora-Brown are sidelined by injuries, Kai Sotto is focusing on the NBA Summer League, and CJ Perez will also miss the trip. Head coach Tim Cone has adjusted the interior rotation accordingly.

The core of the squad remains intact, led by naturalized star Justin Brownlee alongside key contributors RJ Abarrientos, AJ Edu, June Mar Fajardo, Kevin Quiambao, Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, and Scottie Thompson.

Gilas enters Window 3 with a 2-2 record in Group A and has already secured a spot in the second round, which begins in August. The team will travel to New Zealand to face the Tall Blacks on July 3 before heading to Australia to take on the Boomers on July 6, concluding its first-round campaign on the road.