GILAS Pilipinas coach Tim Cone will be making the most of the weeklong preparations allotted to them before plunging into action on Nov. 27 against Syria for the first of the national squad’s two-game schedule in the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers in Seremban, Malaysia. Cone said the Philippine team will be regrouping on Nov. 20, and will fly out to Kuala Lumpur to start the national squad’s training. “We expect all the players to be available by Nov. 20,” Cone said in a recent message with The Manila Times. Japan B. League Asian imports Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Mike Phillips, Quentin Millora-Brown and Kai Sotto will be available for Gilas Pilipinas duties by that time, along with Kevin Quiambao, who plays in the Korean Basketball League. Carl Tamayo, however, is out for the November window after injuring his ankle. The PBA is taking a break from its Season 50 Governors’ Cup semifinal series to give way for the Philippine team’s preparation and tournament. The Philippines will enter the November window in high spirits following its back-to-back home victories over Jordan and Iran, two traditionally powerhouse basketball squads in West Asia. Sotto has also made himself available for the games against Syria on Nov. 27 and Iran on Nov. 30. The 7-3 Sotto has just recovered from a knee problem which forced him to miss several games with his Japan B.League squad Altiri Chiba. And once he gets the green light, Cone said the shot blocking big man will be ready to reinforce Gilas Pilipinas once more. Sotto played a major role in the Philippines’ wins over Jordan and Iran that saw him average 15.5 points, 15 rebounds and over 3 assists in the Manila window. The Philippines remains in the hunt for a spot in the FIBA World Cup, which Qatar will be hosting in Doha in 2027. The Philippines carry an even 4-4 record, just a game behind Iran and Jordan in Group E standings, which share similar 5-3 slates. They are trailing Australia’s immaculate 8-0 record and New Zealand’s 6-2 card. Syria is at the rear of the group with a 2-6 card, the two victories courtesy of the squad’s wins over Iraq. Barring any major injuries, Gilas Pilipinas is favored to win over Syria. The Iran game though is expected to be a tough match for the Philippines considering how the Filipinos had to battle through poor shooting and an early 13-point deficit, before completing the comeback win at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in their Aug. 30 clash. Bennie Boatwright, who recently acquired his Philippine passport, is expected to don the Gilas Pilipinas jersey for the first time as a naturalized player as Justin Brownlee’s health status is still uncertain. The top three teams will earn outright FIBA World Cup slots, while the best fourth-placed squad between Group E and F will also secure a spot in the tournament in Doha.