International Basketball Federation global partner Smart Communications Inc. continues to bring world-class basketball action at the fingertips of Filipino fans as it streams the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers campaign of Gilas Pilipinas via the Smart LiveStream App.
Downloadable on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, the Smart LiveStream App is now accessible to subscribers of all networks, making it easier for basketball fans to watch and rally behind the country’s men’s national basketball team.
Clustered in Group B alongside New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Chinese Taipei, Gilas will embark on home-away format face-offs beginning 22 February against Hong Kong at 8 p.m. and 25 February against Chinese Taipei at 7:30 p.m.
The February schedule is the first of six windows of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers where top two teams from six groups will advance to the Asia Cup in 2025 to be held in Qatar.
Gilas will be led by the most victorious coach in the Philippine Basketball Association, Tim Cone, who is banking on the team pool’s continuity to lead them to the next stages of the qualifiers. It will be recalled that Cone led the same core team to the Philippines’ first Asian
Games gold after 61 years.
Cone’s Gilas 12 is composed of seven-time PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, Dwight Ramos, Kai Sotto, CJ Perez, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, Jamie Malonzo, Kevin Quiambao, Carl Tamayo, AJ Edu, and naturalized player Justin Brownlee.
“Coming off our successful hosting of the FIBA World Cup 2023, we want to continue empowering all Filipino fans to watch and support Gilas, powered by Smart’s world-class mobile network,” Kristine Go, senior vice president and head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart.
Those who want to support Gilas in their 25 February match against Chinese Taipei may also buy tickets at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
“Whether you’re cheering from the stands or supporting online via the Smart LiveStream App, we want to enable everyone to rally behind Gilas as they carry our flag on the world stage once again,” Jude Turcuato, first vice president and head of Sports at PLDT and Smart, said.
