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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Job not yet done as Gilas clashes with Iran

Job not yet done as Gilas clashes with Iran

Published Aug 29, 2026 02:21 pm

At A Glance

  • Gilas is bracing for another tough battle ahead as it takes on Iran in a bid to sweep the fourth window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, Aug. 30.
Gilas Pilipinas' Dwight Ramos, center, is defended by three Jordan players during the game Friday, Aug. 28. Gilas won, 82-81. (FIBA)
Gilas Pilipinas' Dwight Ramos, center, is defended by three Jordan players during the game Friday, Aug. 28. Gilas won, 82-81. (FIBA)
The joy over Gilas Pilipinas’ thrilling 82-81 victory over Jordan was understandable but national team head coach Tim Cone stressed that his squad cannot drown in the euphoria as they are only halfway through the task at hand.
Gilas is bracing for another tough battle ahead as it takes on Iran in a bid to sweep the fourth window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, Aug. 30.
The Nationals are hoping to ride the momentum from the big win over the Falcons and carry it over against Team Melli in their clash scheduled at 8 p.m.
It will come after the first two games of the Sunday tripleheader with Australia battling Syria in the first game at 2 p.m. and New Zealand locking horns with Jordan in the second game at 5 p.m.
While the win against Jordan was a huge morale-boosting victory especially playing without Justin Brownlee, Cone was quick to remind his team that its World Cup fates remain hanging in the balance.
“I just keep telling the guys. The job is only half done,” said Cone after Gilas snapped a four-game slide in the qualifiers to improve to a 3-4 record. Iran, on the other hand, tied with New Zealand and Jordan from second to fourth spots with 5-2 slates.
“We came in here with two do or die games. We got one done now we got to get another one against a really really tough Iran team who is just coming off a tough loss to New Zealand,” added the veteran coach.
According to his staff, Gilas is needing at least five wins in the second round of the qualifiers to get a legitimate shot at claiming the World Cup ticket, making the game against Iran an all-important win.
And to do that, the Nationals must show no letup, especially against an Iranian squad surely eager to bounce back from its own, 93-95 overtime defeat against the Tall Blacks.
“This is like just halftime for us. We haven't won anything. We have to win the whole game. It's just halftime. We got another game to play,” Cone stressed.
The veteran mentor will be once again banking on Kai Sotto to lead the way for Gilas alongside Kevin Quiambao and Dwight Ramos. CJ Perez should also be brimming with confidence following his breakout performance where he led Gilas’ assault in the fourth quarter and overtime.
A marked man surely against Gilas is Iran forward and NBA Summer League campaigner Mohammad Amini who finished with 16 points in the loss to New Zealand. Matin Aghajanpour also had 19 in the last game.

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Tim Cone Gilas Pilipinas Iran
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