Gilas Pilipinas will have to make do with whoever is left as the national team deal with injuries to Calvin Oftana and Cjay Perez ahead of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 quarterfinals against Australia.
Gilas Pilipinas’ path to FIBA Asia Cup 2025 glory just got steeper.
This comes after the national team is down to 10 healthy bodies following injuries to both Calvin Oftana and Cjay Perez.
Oftana tweaked his ankle during the last game of Group D against Iraq, while Perez was also hurt during the overtime win over Saudi Arabia.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) expressed admiration for both players and wished them a speedy recovery in a post on Tuesday, August 12.
“We appreciate their selflessness and willingness to serve, jumping right into Gilas duties after competing in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals,” the statement read.
It continued: “Thank you for your service. We’ll continue to battle for you!”
Perez was injured with 5:52 left in the second quarter of Gilas’ 95-88 overtime win over Saudi Arabia, losing his balance while chasing a loose ball.
[ALSO READ: Justin Brownlee, Gilas Pilipinas survive Saudi Arabia in FIBA Asia Cup 2025 knockout game]
Saudi’s Ali Shubayli collided with him and landed on his right ankle, forcing the San Miguel star to be helped off the court.
“We don’t know the extent of it, but it didn’t look good,” Gilas head coach Tim Cone said in the postgame press conference.
“I’m not going to pretend to be a doctor and speculate, but it was definitely not a good injury. Our prayers are with him,” he added.
[ALSO READ: Why Tim Cone was least surprised on Brownlee magic for QF-bound Gilas in FIBA Asia Cup]
Oftana’s injury occurred earlier during Gilas’ 66-57 victory over Iraq in their final Group D game.
With 3:19 seconds left, the TNT Tropang 5G star hurt his right ankle while battling Ihab Al-Zuhairi for a rebound near the free throw line.
This compounds his earlier injury, as Oftana was hurt during the PBA playoffs.
Gilas Pilipinas will now have to make do as they move on to the quarterfinals against Australia, which is set for 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday (PH time).