Australia will host Philippines in the 1st Round of Group B Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifying on Thursday, February 22, 2018, start time at 19:35 local time (GMT+11), at Margaret Court Arena, in Melbourne.

The Philippine basketball team or popularly known as Gilas Pilipinas will try to dislodge the heavily strong Australians in what is considered a big challenge. Gilas Pilipinas has the full force including naturalized big man and former-NBA player Andray Blatche to match against the heights of the host team. Blatche will absolutely be a huge factor for the Filipinos as they hope to be back in the World Cup again.

June Mar Fajardo, Gabe Norwood, Jayson Castro and Calvin Japeth Aguilar are included in the roster for Gilas. Without a doubt, these veterans are looking for an upset and they anticipate to compete to the end. Calvin Abueva, RR Pogoy, Matthew Wright, Kiefer Ravena, Jio Jalalon, Carl Bryan Cruz, Kevin Allas, Allein Maliksi and Abu Tratter are with the team.

Here’s the complete roster for the Philippines:

Calvin ABUEVA –
Japeth Paul AGUILAR
Kevin Louie ALAS
Andray Maurice BLATCHE
Carl Bryan CRUZ
June Mar FAJARDO
Jiovani JALALON
Allein Gail MALIKSI
Gabriel Daniel NORWOOD
Roger Ray POGOY
Kiefer Isaac RAVENA
Abu Jahal TRATTER
Jayson WILLIAM
Matthew A.Christopher WRIGHT

Australia complete roster:

Nathan Adam SOBEY
Cameron Richard GLIDDON
Jason Robert CADEE
Mitchell Robert NORTON
Nicholas Colin KAY
Mitchell James Robert MCCARRON
Matthew John HODGSON
Kevin John LISCH
Daniel KICKERT
Angus John BRANDT
Jesse Kendall James WAGSTAFF
Mitchell CREEK