GILAS Pilipinas will travel to Doha, Qatar, on February 13 for three tune-up games as part of their preparation for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup in August.

This series of friendlies will also serve as vital practice ahead of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers against Chinese Taipei and New Zealand in late February.

Coach Tim Cone sees the Doha trip as an essential part of the team’s long-term preparation, especially after Gilas already secured a spot in the Asia Cup with a perfect 4-0 record in Group B. “This trip is less about immediate qualification and more about integrating previously injured players like AJ Edu and Jamie Malonzo, and adjusting to playing without our key player, Kai Sotto,” Cone explained.

Gilas will face Qatar (FIBA rank 92), Lebanon (FIBA rank 29), and Egypt (FIBA rank 38) in Doha, with games scheduled for February 15 and 17. These matchups will help sharpen the squad ahead of the next qualifiers in Chinese Taipei on February 20 and New Zealand on February 23.

Due to Sotto’s injury—he is recovering from ACL surgery—Barangay Ginebra’s Troy Rosario will replace him in the lineup. In addition, standout Mason Amos is expected to fill in for Japeth Aguilar, who will miss the Doha games.

While the travel schedule will be demanding, moving from Qatar to Taipei to New Zealand in a short span, Coach Cone welcomes the challenge, emphasizing that tough conditions are ideal for the team’s growth.

Gilas Pilipinas Program Director Alfrancis Chua also highlighted the importance of the Qatar games in facilitating teamwork and adjusting to the absence of Sotto. “With Kai out, other players, particularly the big men, will need to step up,” Chua said.

The Philippines’ recent success in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers included victories over Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, and New Zealand, setting the stage for more intense preparations in the coming months.