Gilas Pilipinas emerged victorious in its lone tuneup for the second window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers after beating Meralco, 96-82, during their tussle on Monday at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna.

The world No. 22 Tall Blacks are currently tied with Gilas in Group B on similar 2-0 records and pose the biggest challenge to the Filipinos in their bracket. But judging from the way Gilas played against his team, Trillo believes the Philippine side has a good chance at beating New Zealand.

Gilas Pilipinas plunges back into action in the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers with the second window opening this week. The men’s national team hosts two Group B games at Mall of Asia Arena in the hopes of staying unbeaten in the continental tournament.

During the qualifiers, the top two teams in each of the six groups will gain outright seats in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 to be played from August 5 to 17 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The six third-placers will still have a shot at the final four seats and will go through another tournament to decide which will advance.