FIBA: Boatwright, Abando make Final 12 as Gilas faces crucial test in WC Qualifiers

Gilas Pilipinas’ Bennie Boatwright (left) and Rhenz Abando (right). Photos from PBA Images, FIBAMANILA — Bennie Boatwright and Rhenz Abando will finally don national colors as Gilas Pilipinas faces a crucial test in the fifth window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Boatwright and Abando join Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Juan Gomez de Liaño, Chris Newsome, CJ Perez, Kevin Quiambao, and Scottie Thompson as Gilas faces Syria on Nov. 27 and Iran on Nov. 29 on foreign soil to bolster its bid for a spot in the World Cup.

Mike Phillips and Quentin Millora-Brown will also make their return to the Tim Cone-mentored squad, which is chasing a top-three finish in Group E.

Expected to lead the Philippines in these crucial games is the 6-foot-9, 30-year-old Boatwright, who finally completed his naturalization process after it faced delays, with Justin Brownlee still sidelined due to health issues.

It will be a Gilas return after three years for Abando, on the other hand, with the former NCAA Rookie of the Year-MVP playing for the Philippines for the first time since the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila.

The Philippines is currently in fifth place with an even 4-4 record, trailing Australia (8-0), New Zealand (6-2), Iran (5-3), and Jordan (5-3).

In late August, Gilas previously took down Jordan in overtime, 82-81, and Iran, 68-56.