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| Photo by FIBA |
Gilas Pilipinas to Make Historic Cebu Debut at SM Seaside Arena
CEBU IS GETTING GILAS.
For the first time, Gilas Pilipinas will take its FIBA World Cup qualifying campaign outside Metro Manila as the national team heads to the brand-new SM Seaside Arena in Cebu for two crucial home games in the final window of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
The Philippines will face Jordan on February 26, 2027, followed by Syria on March 1, with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy confirming Cebu as the venue.
The development was also reported by The Philippine Star, which noted that the SM Seaside Arena has a seating capacity of around 16,000, with full capacity reaching approximately 25,000.
This will be Gilas' first home game outside Metro Manila since its February 2023 World Cup qualifying games against Lebanon and Jordan at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue.
And this isn't just another home stand.
The Cebu games are scheduled during the sixth and final window of the Asian Qualifiers, meaning the results could be critical to the Philippines' push for a place in the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
The Big Question: Will Kai Sotto Be There?
One of the biggest questions heading into Cebu is the availability of Kai Sotto.
The 7-foot-3 big man has become an important part of Tim Cone's Gilas Pilipinas rotation, particularly because of the size and versatility he gives the national team.
Sotto was unavailable during an earlier qualifying window because of concerns surrounding his health and his commitments in Japan.
However, he returned to Gilas for the August 2026 window, with Cone specifically noting that having Sotto gives the team valuable size alongside June Mar Fajardo and AJ Edu.
So the question heading into February is simple:
Will Kai Sotto be available for the Cebu games?
With his Japanese B.League commitments and the importance of the window, his availability could become one of the major storylines surrounding Gilas' Cebu debut.
And Who Will Be Gilas' Naturalized Player?
Another major question is the naturalized-player spot.
Justin Brownlee has been a key figure for Gilas, but injuries kept him out of the August qualifying window. FIBA previously reported that Brownlee had been dealing with knee, hamstring and ankle issues and had not yet returned to full fitness.
Then there's Bennie Boatwright.
The 6-foot-10 former San Miguel Beer import has been going through the naturalization process. SBP officials previously said the legislative process had been completed but that additional steps, including the presidential approval and passport process, were still necessary.
That creates an interesting scenario for the Cebu window.
If Brownlee is healthy, does Gilas go back to JB?
If Boatwright is already fully cleared, does Tim Cone have a new option?
Or could the situation change again depending on injuries, availability and the team's needs against Jordan and Syria?
Under FIBA rules, the national team can field only one naturalized player in its lineup for these qualifiers, making that decision particularly important.
Cebu Gets Its Moment
Beyond the roster questions, Gilas' Cebu debut is a major moment for Philippine basketball.
Cebu has always been one of the country's basketball hotbeds, and bringing the national team to the new SM Seaside Arena gives Cebuano fans the opportunity to experience a major Gilas home game in their own backyard.
The Philippines currently sits 5th in Group E with a 4-4 record after the first four windows, while Australia leads the group at 8-0. Jordan and Iran are both ahead of the Philippines at 5-3.
Before Cebu, Gilas still has its November window in Malaysia, where it is scheduled to face Syria on November 27 and Iran on November 29.
Then comes Cebu.
February 26: Philippines vs. Jordan
March 1: Philippines vs. Syria
New arena. New home court. Huge stakes.
And before those games arrive, Filipino basketball fans will be watching two major questions:
Will Kai Sotto be available?
And who will be wearing the lone naturalized-player spot for Gilas Pilipinas?
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