Gilas Pilipinas Women aim to pull off surprises in the 2025 Fiba Women’s Asia Cup.–SBP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas Women face a tall order to begin their campaign in Group B of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup in Shenzhen, China.

The Philippines will open its bid against powerhouse Australia on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. before taking on another heavyweight in Japan on Monday.

READ: Jack Animam banners Gilas Women at Fiba Asia Cup

As per Fiba rankings, the Aussies are No. 2 in the world while Japan is ninth. The Philippines is at No. 44.

Gilas, which will be led by veteran center Jack Animam, wraps up group play against No. 54 Lebanon on Wednesday.

Joining Animam are Vanessa De Jesus, Ella Fajardo, Sumayah Sugapon and Naomi Panganiban as well as Angel Surada, Kacey Dela Rosa, Khate Castillo, Kent Pastrana, Cielo Pagdulagan, Yvette Villanueva and Louna Ozar.

READ: Gilas Women end Jones Cup stint with 3-game slide

Gilas is coming off a subpar outing in the William Jones Cup, where the Nationals finished with a 1-4 record, ending the tournament with three consecutive losses.

Host and top-ranked China, New Zealand, South Korea and Indonesia, meanwhile, battle it out in Group A.