With their eyes set on the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, the Filipinas will field one of their youngest-ever squads at next month’s 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

Announced Wednesday, the 23-player roster has an average age of just 23.0 years. The squad features two senior-level debutants, alongside 10 other players who have yet to reach 10 international caps.

Goalkeeper Gaby Rourke, a standout from the University of South Florida, and former U-17 defender Aiselyn Sia headline the newcomers. They are joined by goalkeeper Nina Meollo; 33rd Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Mallie Ramirez, Alex Carpio, and Megan Murray; and relative newcomers Jourdyn Curran, Tea Pidding, Azumi Oka, Natalie Collins, Skye Leach, and Camryn Penn.

While calling up 12 players with limited international experience presents a clear risk, the decision also reflects a necessity and an opportunity for head coach Mark Torcaso and his staff to assess the squad’s long-term depth.

“In this Asian Games, we have a few players unavailable as it’s outside of the FIFA window, and we will use this opportunity to continue to test our young players and give opportunities to players to announce themselves on the national stage,” Torcaso said. “We want to give a chance for every player to be an option for next year’s World Cup. We will use this Asian Games as one of these options.”

Anchoring the squad are team captain Hali Long and World Cup stalwarts Olivia McDaniel, Jaclyn Sawicki, Sofia Wunsch, Katrina Guillou, Carleigh Frilles, Angie Beard, and Reina Bonta, along with senior regulars Isabella Pasion and Kaya Hawkinson and local collegiate standout Dionesa Tolentin.

(C) AFC

Drawn into Group G, the Philippines will face China, Hong Kong, and Uzbekistan.

The Filipinas last faced the Steel Roses in the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Jordan, where they suffered a 3-0 defeat.

More recently, the Philippines secured a 1-0 victory over Hong Kong in Cambodia during the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers in July 2025. They also previously blanked Uzbekistan, 2-0, in a 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture at the Asian Cup.

Despite the youthful lineup and the focus on next year’s World Cup, Torcaso said the Filipinas will look to break new ground in Aichi-Nagoya.

In the previous edition, the Australian mentor guided the team to the quarterfinals, and he is hopeful this squad can surpass that finish.

“We want to advance as a group,” he said. “We want to go as far as we can in this competition. We want to enjoy success. It’s as important as the Southeast Asian Games [where] we won gold. Our opportunity to win a medal or to go as far as possible is a reality here as well.”

(C) The-AFC.com

The Philippines will open its Asiad campaign on September 14 against Uzbekistan at 1 p.m., before facing Hong Kong on September 17 at 6 p.m. and closing group play against China at 3 p.m. All Group G matches are scheduled to be played at the 26,000-capacity Gifu Nagaragawa Stadium.

World No. 16 China enters as the highest-ranked team in the group, followed by the Philippines at No. 39, Uzbekistan at No. 51, and Hong Kong at No. 81.

The top two teams in each group will automatically advance to the knockout stage, while a third-place finish could also be enough to progress depending on results in the other groups.

“If I look at the groupings, I think all the groups are tough groups in their own individual ways. I think our group is a tough group,” Torcaso said. “We’ve got Hong Kong, who we narrowly beat to qualify for the Asian Cup as well, who are also a very good team, and we also know how good China is.

“We haven’t played China ever since I’ve been here. China is a great team and it gives us a chance to play against a very, very good team. But again… this Asian Games is also about preparing us for the World Cup.”

The post Gaby Rourke, Aiselyn Sia set for Filipinas debuts as youthful squad named for Asian Games appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

Despite the PBA going on break for the next couple of months, Tim Cone will have his hands full.

Cone will be wearing his Gilas Men hat as he prepares two separate national teams — one competing in Window 4 of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, where the Philippines will take on Jordan on August 28 and Iran on August 30 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, and another that will defend the Asian Games crown in Nagoya, Japan, from September 10 to 20.

“The plan is for me to handle the window until we get it done. And then to transfer to the Asian Games team,” said Cone as Gilas begin their practice on Monday.

“In the meantime, Richard (del Rosario), Josh (Reyes), and Jong (Uichico) will handle the Asian Games.”

However, Gilas Men will not have the likes of Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Kevin Quiambao, and Carl Tamayo available for the Asiad.

“None of the Japan or Korean players can play in the Asian Games,” shared Cone.

“So we just decided that we would pretty much bring an all-PBA contingent for the Asian Games along with Justin (Brownlee).”

As a result, there will be plenty of new faces on the Asian Games team, with Jerrick Ahanmisi, Justin Arana, Sedrick Barefield, Brandon Bates, Robert Bolick, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Jordan Heading, Zavier Lucero, Adrian Nocum, Jason Perkins, Caelan Tiongson, and Don Trollano all in the running for spots on the final 12.

“A lot of them will be new. Some of them have played in the past with Gilas, but they haven’t been a part of these windows that we’ve been involved in. We could still get maybe one or two or three from the window team to join,” said Cone.

“But the bulk of the team will be new for the Asian Games.”

Scottie Thompson has hinted that he will be one of the players that will cross over from the Window 4 team to the Asiad squad.

“Well, iniisip siyempre pero kailangan ko rin maging kondisyon and get in shape kasi preparation na rin sa practices ng Gilas,” said Thompson on Friday after Ginebra’s 97-88 loss to Meralco, which was his conference debut.

“Kung mapasama sa lineup. Of course, I’m willing to do anything para sa national team.”

As for Bennie Boatwright, Cone is keeping his fingers crossed that the forward’s naturalization papers will be completed in time for the continental meet.

“We were hoping that Bennie would be alright to play in the Asian Games. That looks very doubtful at this point, but we’re still holding on to hope,” expressed Cone.

“Aside from that, it’s going to be Justin and all-PBA players.”

Gilas Men are pooled in Group C alongside China, Bahrain, and Kazakhstan in the Asian Games.

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ANTIPOLO — Zavier Lucero is dreaming big now that he’s part of Gilas Pilipinas’ preliminary roster for the 20th Asian Games in Japan next month.

The Magnolia star couldn’t be any more grateful for being included in the 30-man roster for the quadrennial continental tilt, but it would mean so much more if he could get the chance to at least move closer to reaching his ultimate goal.

“Hopefully, I’m on that short list too and get to represent the country for the first time,” he told Tiebreaker Times Wednesday night, shortly after the Hotshots beat Phoenix for their third straight win in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.

Lucero has been named to the so-called ‘long-list’ filled with PBA players, which shall give Coach Tim Cone more options in choosing his 12-man lineup tasked to defend the throne that the Philippines took in 2023 in China.

Having the former University of the Philippines standout should give the brain trust a viable option at the frontcourt given his size and athleticism, not to mention his capability to bang bodies inside when necessary.

(C) PBA Images

He has never suited up for Gilas in the past, but that doesn’t mean he’s not on the program’s radar.

In fact, he was initially included in the pool for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 but was later removed while his eligibility was being verified.

But with the Asian Games implementing more relaxed player eligibility guidelines, coupled with the unavailability of some players—particularly the overseas Filipino imports—the door may be opening for Lucero to finally wear a Team Pilipinas jersey.

Still, it’s not lost on him that nothing’s set in stone yet—the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas only submitted the long list in compliance with Asian Games rules.

But to at least be considered for the national team is already an honor per se, according to the fifth overall pick of the 2023 PBA Rookie Draft.

“It’s bigger than anything I’ve ever been a part of, so I’m very thankful to be considered,” said Lucero.

“Like I said … Hopefully I’ll make that short list. I’m excited. I’m excited at the possibility, and it’s an honor.”

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