Summary
In the latest basketball news this June 22, 2026, the entire nation's attention is focused on Gilas Pilipinas as they prepare for the next stage of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Fans still vividly remember the historic victory...
Table of contents
- 1 What is the latest basketball news this June 2026?
- 2 A brief history of basketball in the Philippines
- 3 Gilas Pilipinas in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers
- 3.1 The Gilas roster for the qualifiers
- 3.2 Standing in Group A
- 4 Gilas Women, historic win against Colombia
- 5 PBA, the local professional league
- 6 UAAP and collegiate basketball news
- 7 Filipino interest in the NBA and international basketball
- 8 Where to get reliable basketball news
- 9 Frequently Asked Questions
- 9.1 What is the latest basketball news in the Philippines today?
- 9.2 When is the next game of Gilas Pilipinas?
- 9.3 Who is in the Gilas Pilipinas roster?
- 9.4 Is the PBA still active in 2026?
- 9.5 Why is the Gilas Women’s win against Colombia important?
- 9.6 Where can I watch basketball news and games?
- 10 Summary: Key Points
- 11 Sources
In the latest basketball news this June 22, 2026, the entire nation’s attention is focused on Gilas Pilipinas as they prepare for the next stage of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Fans still vividly remember the historic victory of Gilas Women, 74–59 against Colombia, marking the national women’s team’s first win against a non-Asian opponent. In basketball, the favorite sport of Filipinos, there is almost no day without a new story.
What is the latest basketball news this June 2026?
As the most popular sport in the country, basketball has the most daily followers. To better understand the abundance of basketball news, it is helpful to divide it into four main areas: the national team Gilas Pilipinas, the professional league PBA, the collegiate UAAP, and the ongoing interest in the NBA. Each has its own calendar, stars, and stories followed by the public.
| Field | Level | Featured in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Gilas Pilipinas | National team | 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers |
| PBA | Professional league | Philippine Cup 2025–26 |
| UAAP | Collegiate | Basketball tournament, Season 88 |
| NBA | International | NBA Finals 2026 and Filipino interest |
A brief history of basketball in the Philippines
The current basketball news cannot be understood without mentioning its deep roots in the country. According to the records of the Philippines men’s national team, basketball was introduced to the Philippines in the early 20th century through the public school system and quickly became part of daily life. The PBA was established in 1975, making it the first professional basketball league in Asia.
In the past decades, the Philippines has solidified its place on the global stage, especially in FIBA competitions. In the current cycle, fans closely monitor the national team’s campaign, including the earlier match of Gilas against New Zealand that set the tone for the rest of the qualifiers.
Gilas Pilipinas in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers
The biggest Gilas Pilipinas news this June 22, 2026, is the team’s preparation for their next window. According to the Philippine News Agency, Gilas will head to New Zealand for a week-long training camp before their matches in July. The Philippines is set to face New Zealand on July 3, 2026, in Auckland, and Australia on July 6, 2026, in Perth.
The Gilas roster for the qualifiers
Led by naturalized player Justin Brownlee, the roster includes a mix of veterans and young players from the PBA and Japan B.League. For a deeper analysis of the selection, you can refer to the detailed record of the Gilas Pilipinas roster prepared for the current campaign.
| Player | Role or Position | League or Team |
|---|---|---|
| Justin Brownlee | Naturalized player | PBA – Barangay Ginebra |
| June Mar Fajardo | Veteran center | PBA – San Miguel |
| Scottie Thompson | Guard | PBA – Barangay Ginebra |
| RJ Abarrientos | Guard | PBA – Barangay Ginebra |
| Chris Newsome | Guard or forward | PBA – Meralco |
| Dwight Ramos | Guard or forward | Japan B.League |
| AJ Edu | Center | Japan B.League |
| Kevin Quiambao | Forward | Japan B.League |
| Carl Tamayo | Forward | Japan B.League |
Standing in Group A
Based on the latest record from FIBA, here is the status of Group A before the next window:
- Australia – 4–0, leading and undefeated
- Philippines – 2–2, tied for second place
- New Zealand – 2–2, tied for second place
- Guam – 0–4, at the bottom
Gilas Women, historic win against Colombia
One of the biggest stories of the year was the achievement of the national women’s team. In the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament in France, Gilas Women defeated Colombia, 74–59, on March 18, 2026. This was the team’s first win against a non-Asian opponent, according to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
Kacey dela Rosa led the victory with her double-double of 25 points, 19 rebounds, and five blocks. She was supported by Sumayah Sugapong with 21 points, while captain Afril Bernardino sparked a crucial run in the third quarter that turned the game around from the Philippines’ deficit.
The 74–59 win against Colombia proves that Filipino women can now compete on the global stage.
PBA, the local professional league
For most fans, PBA news is the daily staple in the field of basketball. The action continues in the Philippine Cup 2025–26, and many of the players featured here also make up the national team. Our record of top players in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup shows how the form of stars in the local league affects their role in Gilas.

The number of teams, the depth of each franchise’s history, and the strength of fan support keep the PBA at the center of discussions. Because of this, almost every major transfer, injury update, and game result quickly becomes hot basketball news today on social media and news sites.
UAAP and collegiate basketball news
Apart from the professional level, the UAAP and other collegiate leagues play a significant role in basketball news. Many future PBA and Gilas stars first rise to fame here, so it’s no surprise that the public closely follows collegiate games. According to reports from major sports media like ABS-CBN Sports, stories about collegiate standouts and the so-called dream team of players continue to emerge.
Filipino interest in the NBA and international basketball
Apart from the local game, millions of Filipinos also stay up early to watch the NBA. Interest peaks especially during playoffs and finals season, and its stars are often discussed alongside local news. For those following the global league, our coverage of the NBA Finals 2026 connects the global story with the perspective of fans in the Philippines.
From the barangay court to the global stage, basketball connects the emotions of the entire nation.
Where to get reliable basketball news
With information spreading quickly, it’s important to know where to get accurate basketball news. For official and timely data, these are the most reliable sources:
- FIBA, for all global and qualifying competitions of Gilas and Gilas Women
- Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the official basketball federation in the country
- PBA, for official schedules, standings, and results of the professional league
- UAAP, for collegiate games and standings
- Recognized sports newsrooms for daily reports and analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest basketball news in the Philippines today?
As of June 22, 2026, the hottest story is Gilas Pilipinas’ preparation for the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers and the historic 74–59 victory of Gilas Women against Colombia. The PBA Philippine Cup and collegiate games in the UAAP are also ongoing.
When is the next game of Gilas Pilipinas?
According to the Philippine News Agency, Gilas will face New Zealand on July 3, 2026, in Auckland, and Australia on July 6, 2026, in Perth. Before this, the team will conduct a training camp in New Zealand.
Who is in the Gilas Pilipinas roster?
Led by naturalized player Justin Brownlee, the pool includes June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, RJ Abarrientos, and Chris Newsome from the PBA, as well as Japan B.League players Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Kevin Quiambao, and Carl Tamayo, according to the Philippine News Agency.
Is the PBA still active in 2026?
Yes, the PBA Philippine Cup for the 2025–26 season is ongoing. Many of the players featured here are also part of the Gilas Pilipinas pool, so the local league and the national team’s campaign are interconnected.
Why is the Gilas Women’s win against Colombia important?
This is the first time Gilas Women defeated a non-Asian team in the FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying. Beyond its symbolic value, this result could open more support and opportunities for women’s basketball in the country.
Where can I watch basketball news and games?
For accurate information, it’s best to refer to official FIBA, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, PBA, and UAAP, as well as recognized sports newsrooms. Avoid unreliable sources to ensure the information you receive is correct.
Summary: Key Points
- Gilas Pilipinas is preparing for the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, with matches against New Zealand and Australia in July 2026.
- Complete basketball news covers four areas: Gilas, PBA, UAAP, and NBA.
- Gilas Women made history with their 74–59 win against Colombia in March 2026.
- In Group A, Australia leads (4–0) while the Philippines and New Zealand are tied for second (2–2).
- Use official FIBA, SBP, PBA, and UAAP as reliable sources.
Sources
- FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament — retrieved June 22, 2026
- FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, Philippines — retrieved June 22, 2026
- Philippine News Agency — retrieved June 22, 2026
- Philippines men’s national basketball team, Wikipedia — retrieved June 22, 2026




