MANILA, Philippines – Juan Gomez de Liaño returns to Gilas Pilipinas action for the first time in four years.

The Converge guard made the final 12-man roster as the Philippines hosts New Zealand in the first of its two-game homestand in the second window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, February 26.

Having last donned the national colors in 2022, Gomez de Liaño made his way back after a stellar showing for the FiberXers in the PBA Philippine Cup that saw him contend for the Best Player of the Conference honors.

Gomez de Liaño, who takes RJ Abarrientos’ spot, is one of the only two roster changes from the Philippines’ first-window team as head coach Tim Cone sticks with practically the same crew, bringing back Justin Brownlee, AJ Edu, June Mar Fajardo, Quentin Millora-Brown, Chris Newsome, CJ Perez, Kevin Quiambao, Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, and Scottie Thompson.

Calvin Oftana is also back as he replaces Japeth Aguilar, who retired from Gilas duties at the end of the first window. 

Aside from Abarrientos, Justine Baltazar and Troy Rosario did not make the cut for the New Zealand match. 

While the Nationals boast of a 2-0 record in Group A after a two-game sweep of Guam in the first window, winning becomes a tall order from here on out as they play two games each against world No. 25 New Zealand and No. 6 Australia for the rest of the first round.

“There’s always a lot of uncertainty when you’re not together all the time. We think we’re going to compete, we like our chances, we think we match up well, we’re hoping to play well together, but certainly, there’s a lot of uncertainty,” Cone told Rappler. 

“We won’t know until we hit the floor, but we do know for certain that we’ll bring a lot of fight and intensity playing in our home court.” 

Cone and his wards hope to redeem themselves after losing their last two games against New Zealand, including a 94-86 defeat in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup where Justin Brownlee saw his 37-point explosion go for naught.

The last time the Philippines hosted New Zealand, the Filipinos beat the Tall Blacks for the first time in FIBA play, hacking out a 93-89 win in the Asia Cup Qualifiers in 2024 on the back of a 19-point, 10-rebound, 7-assist effort by star big man Kai Sotto.

Although Sotto remains out, Gilas hopes the entry of Gomez de Liaño would turn the tide against New Zealand.

If the Philippines manages to get past New Zealand, it only gets tougher for the team as it battles Australia on Sunday, March 1, at the same venue. – Rappler.com