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Gilas Pilipinas opens its Asian Games 2026 men’s basketball title defense against Bahrain on Sept. 11 in Nagoya, Japan.
Coach Tim Cone will bring a substantially different, predominantly PBA-based team to the Asian Games as the Philippines attempts to retain the gold medal it won in Hangzhou three years ago.
Here is what to know about the Gilas Pilipinas Asian Games roster, complete schedule, Justin Brownlee’s status, Kai Sotto’s absence and the Philippines’ path through the tournament.
When is the Asian Games 2026?
The 20th Asian Games will officially run from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4, 2026, in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan.
Some competitions will begin before the opening ceremony. The Asian Games men’s basketball tournament starts on Sept. 10 and ends with the gold-medal game on Sept. 20.
Where will Asian Games basketball be played?
The 5-on-5 basketball competition will be held at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya. The arena has a maximum seating capacity of about 17,000.
What is the Gilas Pilipinas Asian Games 2026 schedule?
Gilas Pilipinas is in Group C with China, Bahrain and Kazakhstan.
Japan is one hour ahead of the Philippines. The schedule below has been converted from Japan time to Philippine time.
September 11, Friday
- 12nn – Gilas Pilipinas vs Bahrain
September 12, Saturday
- 6pm – Kazakhstan vs Gilas Pilipinas
September 14, Monday
- 12nn – China vs Gilas Pilipinas
September 16, Wednesday – Quarterfinals
-
Possible Philippine times: 9 a.m., 12 noon, 3 p.m. or 6:20 p.m.
September 18, Friday – Semifinals
- Possible Philippine times: 3 p.m. or 6:20 p.m.
September 20, Sunday
- 3:40pm – Bronze medal game
- 6:40pm – Gold medal game
Gilas’ exact quarterfinal and semifinal schedules will depend on whether it advances and where it finishes in the group phase.
Who is on the Gilas Pilipinas Asian Games roster?
Gilas Pilipinas players Justin Arana, RJ Abarrientos, Adrian Nocum, Don Trollano, Robert Bolick and Justin Baltazar. –RJ ABARRIENTOS PHOTO
The final 12-man Gilas Pilipinas Asian Games roster had not been announced as of Sept. 1.
Cone has confirmed that RJ Abarrientos, Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar will join the Asian Games team. Robert Bolick and Adrian Nocum are among the other prominent candidates for the final lineup.
Cone and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas are expected to select the final 12 from the previously submitted player pool. This page will be updated when the official roster is released.
Will Justin Brownlee play in the Asian Games 2026?
FILE–Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee was sidelined against Australia in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.–FIBA PHOTO
Justin Brownlee’s participation has not been confirmed.
Cone said Gilas has reserved a roster spot for Brownlee, who missed the recent Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers games against Jordan and Iran because he did not feel healthy enough to play.
“We’ve opened up a spot for Justin. We’ll see if he ends up showing up,” Cone said.
Brownlee had been recovering from leg, hamstring and knee problems. Cone said the team had heard that Brownlee intended to return, but no final commitment had been made as of Sept. 1.
Why is Justin Brownlee important to Gilas?
Justin Brownlee and Gilas Pilipinas celebrate victory after the Basketball – Men’s Semi-final match between Philippines and China on day 11 of the 19th Asian Games at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium on October 4, 2023 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province of China. (Photo by CHINASPORTS/VCG )No Use China.
Brownlee played a central role in the Philippines’ 2023 Asian Games championship.
He scored 33 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter, as Gilas erased a 20-point deficit and stunned host China, 77-76, in the semifinals.
Brownlee then had 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals in Gilas’ 70-60 victory over Jordan in the gold-medal game.
Is Kai Sotto playing for Gilas in the Asian Games?
No. Cone confirmed that Kai Sotto would play in the August Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers but would not join Gilas for the Asian Games.
No specific reason for Sotto’s Asian Games absence was given when Cone confirmed that he would miss the tournament. It should therefore not be attributed to a club refusing to release him unless Gilas, the SBP or Sotto provides that explanation.
Where is Kai Sotto currently playing?
Kai Sotto looks on during Gilas Pilipinas’ game vs Iran in the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers at Mall of Asia Arena.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Sotto is not currently signed with a club.
His contract in Japan has expired, and he has been awaiting a decision on whether he is eligible to play in the US NCAA. Other possible professional options have also been discussed, but no new team had been officially announced as of Sept. 1.
Sotto returned from a long injury layoff to help Gilas defeat Jordan and Iran in the World Cup Asian Qualifiers. He averaged 15.5 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and one block over the two victories.
Why is Gilas fielding an all-PBA team?
Cone decided to build the Asian Games squad primarily around PBA players because Gilas regulars based in the Japanese and Korean leagues will not be available.
The Asian Games is outside the regular Fiba competition calendar, creating difficulties in securing the release of players from their overseas clubs.
Kai Sotto’s situation is different. He is currently unsigned, and no official reason has been provided for his Asian Games absence.
June Mar Fajardo will also be missing after retiring from international basketball.
Are Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo playing?
No. The Japan- and Korea-based Gilas regulars have been ruled out of the Asian Games lineup.
Ramos and Edu play in Japan, while Quiambao and Tamayo play in South Korea. Their absence helped prompt Cone’s decision to form a separate PBA-based team for the Asian Games.
Is June Mar Fajardo playing in the Asian Games?
No. Fajardo ended his Gilas Pilipinas career after the national team defeated Iran, 68-56, on Aug. 30.
The 36-year-old center retired after more than a decade of international competition, including three Fiba World Cup appearances and the Philippines’ 2023 Asian Games championship.
Is Bennie Boatwright playing for Gilas?
No. Boatwright will not play in the Asian Games because his naturalization and Philippine passport requirements were not completed in time.
Cone said Boatwright’s passport would not be available before the tournament. Brownlee consequently remains Gilas’ preferred naturalized-player option if he is healthy and agrees to join the team.
Who are Gilas Pilipinas’ Asian Games opponents?
Gilas will face Bahrain, Kazakhstan and China in Group C.
The game against China on Sept. 14 is a rematch of the memorable 2023 semifinal in Hangzhou. Gilas came back from 20 points down to beat China, 77-76, before defeating Jordan for the championship.
The quarterfinals are scheduled for Sept. 16, followed by the semifinals on Sept. 18 and the medal games on Sept. 20.
Can Gilas Pilipinas win another Asian Games gold medal?
Gilas Pilipinas members celebrate with their gold medals after defeating Jordan in their men’s basketball gold medal at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Gilas enters the tournament as the defending champion, but the 2026 team will be significantly different from the squad that won in 2023.
The Philippines will be without Sotto, Ramos, Edu, Quiambao, Tamayo and the retired Fajardo. Brownlee’s status also remains uncertain.
Because the new lineup is smaller, Cone expects Gilas to rely more heavily on speed, quickness and an up-tempo playing style. Its actual medal chances will be clearer after the final 12 and Brownlee’s availability are confirmed.
What happened to Gilas in the last Asian Games?
Gilas Pilipinas won the men’s basketball gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
The Philippines defeated host China, 77-76, in the semifinals and beat Jordan, 70-60, in the championship game.
It was the country’s first Asian Games men’s basketball title in more than 60 years.
Where can I watch Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian Games?
An official Philippine television channel and livestream for Gilas’ Asian Games games had not been independently verified as of Sept. 1.
This page will be updated once the Philippine rights holder announces its television, digital and livestream schedule.
What information is still subject to change?
Three major details remain provisional:
- The final 12-man Gilas Pilipinas Asian Games roster
- Justin Brownlee’s availability
- Philippine television and livestream information
The group-stage opponents, game dates and starting times listed above have already been published by the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee.
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