MANILA, Philippines — Tim Cone is expecting a solid Gilas Pilipinas roster by the time the national team resumes its training in preparation for the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers in November. The presence of young big men Kai Sotto, Quentin Millora-Brown and Mike Philips though remains uncertain at the moment, at least, based on Cone’s recent dealing with them or their handlers. “Nothing is ever sure, as we have learned over the last couple of years, but we certainly are expecting them to be available,” Cone told The Manila Times on Monday. Nonetheless, the American said under the ideal circumstances, the three bigs, along with Dwight Ramos and AJ Edu, who plays in Japan, along with Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo, who sees action in the Korean Basketball League should be available by the November window. “Yes, of course. The Korean and Japan leagues are required to release their players for the Windows (and all FIBA sponsored events). The Asian Games was not a FIBA event,” he added. Cone had all sorts of chemistry problems during Gilas’ recent Asian Games stint in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan as Sotto and Co. weren’t there to help the Philippines defend its basketball crown. The result was a 1-2 ledger in the group stage, getting whacked by China by 44 points in the final day of the preliminary round that ousted Gilas from the knockout phase. But knowing Cone, the American coach is now training his sights on keeping the momentum going for Gilas heading to its showdown with Syria on Nov. 27, followed by Iran on Nov. 30 in Seremban, Malaysia in the fifth window. The Philippines will enter the November window with a 4-4 record in Group E, behind Australia’s immaculate 8-0 card, New Zealand (6-2) and Iran as well as Jordan (5-3). Cone admitted the windows in November and even the one in February 2027 are crucial games for Gilas in its bid to punch a ticket to the FIBA World Cup next year in Doha, Qatar. Only the top three teams per group and the best fourth-placed team will advance to the World Cup. -  The Philippine team won its most recent home games in the fourth window, beating  Jordan and Iran at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The 7-3 Sotto played a big role in the twin victories after averaging solid stats line of 15.5 points, 15 rebounds and three assists