Romwel Anzures

Gilas Pilipinas in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. Photo from FIBA.

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1750570030954IMG_7211.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Gilas Pilipinas in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. Photo from FIBA."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Gilas Pilipinas in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. <em>Photo from FIBA.</em></span></span></span>MANILA — Gilas Pilipinas is starting to lay the groundwork for its upcoming 2025 FIBA Asia Cup campaign in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in August.</div><p>The Nationals will be going up against New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, and Iraq in the group stage of the continental meet which will be held from August 5 to 17, that is why Gilas is now plotting their timeline given that some players are still competing in the ongoing PBA Playoffs.</p><p>“Gilas is coming up quickly, so we spent time at the end of the eliminations to go through and try to get something done for Gilas in terms of practice schedule,” said head coach Tim Cone in an appearance in Noli Eala’s Power and Play on Saturday.</p><p>“We’re gonna have a Zoom meeting with all the players on Monday to go over that, and we’re also trying to get some Monday practices before we come together. We will start sometime during the Finals,” he added.</p><p>A tentative start for Gilas’ Monday practices is on June 30, and this is a part of Cone’s hopes to complete 18 days of training ahead of the Asia Cup proper.</p><p>“If I am not in the Finals, then I will coach the practices. But if I am in the Finals, we’ll get Richard and Sean Chambers to handle the practices,” he said. “We’re trying to get 18 practices together, including two-a-day practices, and a short camp before we leave.”</p><p>However, given the on-going tension between Saudi Arabia’s regional neighbors Israel and Iran, Cone is also wary of their upcoming trip.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/6/22/trump-says-us-carried-out-very-successful-attack-on-three-iran-nuclear-sites-0806"><strong>READ: Trump says US bombs Iran nuclear sites, joining Israeli campaign</strong></a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/6/22/us-strikes-on-iran-are-dangerous-escalation-un-chief-1018"><strong>READ: US strikes on Iran are &#x27;dangerous escalation&#x27;: UN chief</strong></a></div><p>“The big question right now is will we continue to play in Jeddah with all the things that are going on in the Middle East? Whether they change the venue, we’re still monitoring with FIBA as we speak,” he pointed out.</p><p>“We’re wondering if this will all push through, or if the venues will change,” Cone added, who also shared how Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Erika Dy is continuously communicating with FIBA regarding the said issue.</p><p>President Donald Trump said US air strikes on Sunday &quot;totally obliterated&quot; Iran&#x27;s main nuclear sites, as Washington joined Israel&#x27;s war with Tehran in a flashpoint moment for the Middle East.</p><p>In a televised address to the nation from the White House, Trump warned that the United States would go after more targets if Iran did not make peace quickly.</p><p>Even with this uncertainty, however, the Barangay Ginebra coach shared that they have plans set and are even eyeing to hold a friendly game here before their flight overseas.</p><p>“We tried to invite a couple of teams to come here to play us. Looks like we’re gonna play the Macau Bears,” Cone said. “We really need that practice time together. We need to get our system a little bit more again.”</p><div>Barring any changes, Gilas’ first game in Jeddah would be against Chinese Taipei on August 6, 2:00 a.m., Manila time. -- <strong>with a report from Agence France-Presse<br/></strong><br/><strong>RELATED VIDEO: <span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2j0Wdjcy-dA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong></div>

<p>Gilas is starting to lay the groundwork for its upcoming 2025 FIBA Asia Cup campaign in Saudi Arabia in August, but the tension in the region is causing a concern for the Nationals.</p>

Gilas is starting to lay the groundwork for its upcoming 2025 FIBA Asia Cup campaign in Saudi Arabia in August, but the tension in the region is causing a concern for the Nationals.

FIBA: Tension in Middle East a concern for Asia Cup-bound Gilas Pilipinas

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Basketball

FIBA: Tension in Middle East a concern for Asia Cup-bound Gilas Pilipinas

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 22, 2025 02:09 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

PBA

ABSSports

ABSNews

FIBA

2025 FIBA Asia Cup

Gilas Pilipinas

Israel

Iran

US

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.