Gilas Pilipinas beats Meralco in tuneup ahead of FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers

Gilas Pilipinas emerged victorious in its lone tuneup for the second window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers after beating Meralco, 96-82, during their tussle on Monday at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna.

Bolts head coach Luigi Trillo confirmed the development to GMA News Online, saying he was impressed by how the team performed given the short period of preparation for the November window.

"They look like they're getting sharp," Trillo said.

"The newer guys are still trying to fit into the system but they're coming along. They can beat New Zealand if they put their minds to it."

During the tuneup, Gilas head coach Tim Cone fielded everyone from the 15-man pool except big man AJ Edu, who is nursing a knee injury, Jamie Malonzo and Calvin Oftana.

Malonzo remains unavailable due to a calf injury that has been sidelining him for months now while Oftana was fresh off a grueling finals series between his TNT and Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup.

The Bolts, meanwhile, were without Allein Maliksi, CJ Cansino, Brandon Bates, and DJ Kennedy as well as Chris Newsome, who was a part of the Gilas pool.

From what Trillo saw, Gilas looks good ahead of its clash with New Zealand, who is currently tied with the Philippines in the team standings with their identical 2-0 win-loss cards.

"I like what I see. [I am] very impressed with Kai Sotto," Trillo added.

"Their starters played well particularly (Justin) Brownlee, Dwight Ramos, and Kai Sotto. They led by as much as 16. We tied it twice. New guys struggled a bit but that is expected."

The tuneup game served as part of the preparations of the nationals before they take on the Tall Blacks on Thursday and Hong Kong on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News