Gilas Pilipinas begins its title defense in the men’s basketball competition at the 2026 Asian Games on Friday, opening its campaign against Bahrain at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Japan.

The Philippines faces Bahrain at noon Philippine time on Sept. 11 in the first of three Group C games for the national team.

Gilas will then take on Kazakhstan at 6 p.m. on Sept. 12 before closing the group stage against China at noon on Sept. 14.

The Philippines is fielding the following 12-man lineup for the 5-on-5 competition:

• RJ Abarrientos

• Jerrick Ahanmisi

• Justin Arana

• Justine Baltazar

• Sedrick Barefield

• Brandon Bates

• Robert Bolick

• Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser

• Zav Lucero

• Adrian Nocum

• Calvin Oftana

• Don Trollano

Head coach Tim Cone earlier confirmed that Oftana replaced Justin Brownlee, who was ruled out due to injury, to complete the squad.

Gilas enters the tournament as the defending Asian Games champion after capturing the men’s basketball gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

The Philippines edged host China, 77-76, in the semifinals before defeating Jordan, 70-60, in the championship game.

The gold medal ended a more than six-decade wait for the Philippines, which last won the Asian Games men’s basketball title in 1962.