The wait is over. As Gilas Pilipinas prepares to defend home turf at the Mall of Asia Arena against New Zealand for the second window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Coach Tim Cone has officially trimmed his 15-man pool to the Final 12.
The biggest story? The long-awaited debut of Juan Gomez de Liano in the Tim Cone era. The savvy playmaker has finally broken into the active roster, providing a fresh spark to a backcourt that will be tested by the physical "Tall Blacks."
The Decision: Trusting the "Old Reliables"
While Gomez de Liano celebrated his inclusion, three notable names found themselves on the outside looking in for Thursday's clash: Justine Baltazar, Troy Rosario, and the flashy RJ Abarrientos.
In typical Tim Cone fashion, the winningest coach in PBA history opted for continuity and chemistry. By retaining his "old reliables"—the core that pushed European powerhouse Latvia to the brink and secured Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) respect—Cone is betting on systemic familiarity over fresh experimentation.
The Final 12 features a balanced mix of size and versatility:
Backcourt: Scottie Thompson, Chris Newsome, June Mar Fajardo, CJay Perez, Dwight Ramos, and Juan Gomez de Liano.
Frontcourt/Wings: Justin Brownlee, Kevin Quiambao, Calvin Oftana, Carl Tamayo, AJ Edu, and Quentin Millora-Brown.
The Contrast: Where Our Analysis Met Reality
| Player | Our Analysis Recommendation | Coach Cone's Actual Decision |
| Justine Baltazar | Cut (Luxury item behind June Mar/Edu) | Cut (Reserved for Australia) |
| Troy Rosario | Cut (Younger wings have higher ceilings) | Cut (Reserved for Australia) |
| RJ Abarrientos | Keep (Shooting/Playmaking) | Cut (Opted for CJay Perez’s experience) |
| CJay Perez | Cut (System fit/overlap) | Keep (Veteran scoring punch) |
The CJay Perez Factor
We originally suggested cutting CJay Perez, citing concerns that his isolation-heavy style might clash with the structured ball movement of the Triangle. However, Cone’s decision to keep the "The Predator" suggests he values Perez’s veteran composure and ability to break down defenses when the shot clock winds down—a tool that is invaluable against a disciplined New Zealand defense.
The Backcourt Shuffle
While we advocated for RJ Abarrientos to provide outside shooting, Cone chose to stick with the established chemistry of his existing guards. Abarrientos and Baltazar remain in the wings, however, as the "active" roster can be modified for the upcoming game against Australia on March 1.
Looking Ahead: The New Zealand Challenge
The inclusion of Quentin Millora-Brown alongside June Mar Fajardo and a healthy AJ Edu gives Gilas the interior length it has historically lacked against Oceania teams. With Justin Brownlee at the helm and Juan GDL adding a new dimension of playmaking, the Filipinos are well-equipped to handle the New Zealand pressure.
Coach Cone has always preached that he wants a compact, trusting group. By keeping the core intact and only integrating Gomez de Liano, he is doubling down on the "system-over-stars" philosophy that has revitalized the national program.
The mission is clear: Secure the win at home, build momentum, and perhaps see if the likes of Baltazar or Abarrientos get their number called when the Boomers of Australia come to town.
Related Article: Gilas Controversy: The Final 3 Cuts for the February Window should be?
Comments
Post a Comment