Romwel Anzures

Gilas Pilipinas star Justin Brownlee against Australia in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia. Photo from FIBA Basketball.

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772255809343IMG_0144.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Gilas Pilipinas star Justin Brownlee against Australia in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia. Photo from FIBA Basketball.MANILA — The bitter past will finally be put to rest as Gilas Pilipinas and Australia meet anew, this time in the 2027 edition of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.</div>The Nationals and the Boomers rekindle their rivalry on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, with Gilas looking to boost its chances of advancing to the next round of the tournament.This marks the first time the two squads will face each other on Philippine soil since the infamous 2018 brawl at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. That chapter, however, has long been closed, with both programs having rebuilt ties and moved forward — ensuring that Sunday’s clash will be defined purely by competition on the court.&quot;We&#x27;ve been working on this relationship for years,&quot; said Jason Smith, Basketball Australia&#x27;s Executive General Manager of High Performance, in a <a href="https://www.espn.com.au/nbl/story/_/id/48047817/fiba-world-cup-qualifiers-post-brawl-australia-vs-philippines-fiercely-contested">report by ESPN.</a>&quot;This game is the final culmination of that, playing back in the environment. It&#x27;s an opportunity to move forward,” he added.The two teams have actually met since then in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia last August. In that match, the Philippines showed promise early but eventually bowed to the Aussies, 60-84.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/8/13/fiba-gilas-bows-out-of-asia-cup-contention-after-falling-short-vs-australia-2032">READ: Gilas bows out of Asia Cup contention after falling short vs. Australia</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/8/12/fiba-7-years-since-infamous-brawl-gilas-looks-to-rewrite-history-against-australia-2338">READ: 7 years since infamous brawl, Gilas looks to rewrite history against Australia</a></div>For Gilas head coach Tim Cone, the task at hand remains the priority, and the Nationals will look to build on some of the positives that allowed them to push New Zealand to the limit in a 66-69 defeat on Thursday.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/2/26/fiba-gilas-falls-to-new-zealand-absorbs-1st-defeat-in-wc-asian-qualifiers-2124">READ: Gilas falls to New Zealand, absorbs 1st defeat in WC Asian Qualifiers</a></div>“We defended well, we competed on the boards,” said the Barangay Ginebra coach.Cone added that the team must find a better balance between execution and maximizing its talent, noting that it was largely individual ability that kept them within striking distance against the Kiwis.“That&#x27;s the next step for us, being able to get more execution,” said Cone, whose squad shot just 26-of-80 from the field (32.5%).“That&#x27;s why we didn&#x27;t get much of a flow, and that was really what was most important. There&#x27;s a fine balance that goes on in that. It can be difficult to find, especially with a team that you&#x27;re not with all the time, but again, the more we are together, you know, we expect to fix that a little bit more,” he added.According to FIBA, a Gilas victory — coupled with a Guam loss to New Zealand — would seal the Philippines’ advancement to the next round of the qualifiers.

The bitter past will finally be put to rest as Gilas Pilipinas and Australia meet anew, this time in the 2027 edition of the #FIBAWC Asian Qualifiers.

The bitter past will finally be put to rest as Gilas Pilipinas and Australia meet anew, this time in the 2027 edition of the #FIBAWC Asian Qualifiers.

FIBA: Gilas, Australia face off in much-anticipated clash with old wounds healed

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Basketball

FIBA: Gilas, Australia face off in much-anticipated clash with old wounds healed

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 01, 2026 06:00 AM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

FIBA

FIBA Basketball

2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers

Tim Cone

ABSSports

Australia

New Zealand

Australian Boomers

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

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

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.