The Boomers had a nervy start in front of a sold out crowd in Manila but they got in rhythm to cruise past Philippines 93 - 66.
Elijah Pepper was given a license to shoot and finished with a career best tally of 28 in the green and gold.
Tanner Krebs had 18 points and Tom Wilson 12 points, 7 rebounds. Mitch Creek had some flashy moments in his return, finishing with 13 points, six rebounds at +23.
BOOMERS 93 - 66 GILAS
FIBA Basketball 2027 World Cup - Asian Qualifier
VENUE - Mall of Asia Arena, Manila
BOXSCORE - Click Here
It will be the first AUS v PHI fixture played on the island of the Philippines since the much-discussed events of 2018. It's been almost a decade since, and Jason Smith, EGM of High Performance at Basketball Australia, insists that both sides have committed to a modern version of the AUS v PHI rivalry.
"We've been working on this relationship for years. This game is the final culmination of that, playing back in the environment. It's an opportunity to move forward," said Smith via Olgun Uluc at ESPN.
The Boomers will gain the services of Mitch Creek, who will suit up in the green and gold for the first time since 2019, and Mall of Asia Arena will be sold out and rocking.
"The main thing is, we're going into an environment that's going to be incredibly fun to play in," added Smith.
"You don't get many opportunities in your sporting career to play in front of a crowd like this... We've got a different kind of filter on it, but the message was to be competitive and have fun, and enjoy the experience.
"These are the environments you recognise in your career as ones you remember. I'm extremely passionate about providing those opportunities when they become available, to our Boomers players, but also to our staff as well. I felt kind of hard done by [at the 2023 World Cup] in Okinawa, that we didn't get through and go through to play in Manila in the next level of the competition, but very much looking forward to this one."
BOOMERS v GILAS
FIBA 2027 Basketball World Cup
Asian Qualifiers - Window Two
VENUE: Mall of Asia Arena, Manila
TIP OFF: 10:30PM AEDT
GAME HUB: Click Here
BROADCAST
Australia: ESPN and streaming partners Disney+ & Kayo Sports
International: Courtside 1819
BOOMERS POWER PAST GUAM
On Thursday night, a long range masterclass from Tanner Krebs, 28 points, 8/13 has helped the Boomers charge past Guam at University of Guam Field House to sit atop the Group A standings in the FIBA BWC Asian Qualifiers.
The Boomers were sluggish but got the job done. Perth guard Elijah Pepper finished with 23 points and +32 on the deck. Nick Kay had 10 points, 11 rebounds, Sam Froling 13 points 10 rebounds.
BOOMERS 93 v 80 GUAM
FIBA Basketball 2027 World Cup - Asian Qualifier
VENUE - University of Guam, Field House
BOXSCORE - Click Here
CREEK IN MANILA
In addition, Mitch Creek will be active from Game Two. Anticipated delays in VISA processing for Guam as a US governed area made transit improbable.
“We decided to take the conservative route and focus Mitch’s re-entry to the program to Game Two. We’re looking forward to him joining the team in Manila for the matchup against the Philippines,” Jason Smith, EGM of High Performance.
#goboomers#fibawc
The road to Qatar rolls on, with the Boomers poised to make their move.
The Boomers are back for Window Two of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers with a pivotal two-game tour of Guam and the Philippines.
Australia venture to University of Guam in Mangilao for Thursday’s matchup before heading to Manila, Philippines, on Sunday, 1 March, in a pair of matchups that will shape the group standings.
The campaign started in late 2025 with an iconic double against New Zealand’s Tall Blacks.
Window One started in Tasmania last November with a classic 84 - 79 victory at MyState Bank Arena in Hobart. The Boomers backed it up two days later, aided by some late-game heroics by Davo Hickey, who drained a buzzer beater to overcome the Kiwis 77 – 79 in Wellington.
ROSTER
Coaching Staff: John Rillie (Head Coach), Luke Brennan (SEM Phoenix), Robbie McKinlay (Centre of Excellence), David Barlow (Melbourne).
* Mitch Creek will be available for Game Two versus the Philippines. David Okwera did not travel as a precaution for load management.
SCHEDULE
Boomers v Philippines | Sun 1 March | 10:30pm AEDT | Mall of Asia Arena | Game Portal
LAST TIME THEY MET
AUS 84 V 60 PHI | 12/08/2025 | 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Quarter Finals | Leading scorers: Galloway (15), O.Foxwell (15)
ROAD TO THE WORLD CUP
For FIBA Asia, there are 16 nations, divided into four groups, competing for qualification.
The next step for Australia's progress hinges on making it out of the first group phase. The Boomers need to finish top three in Group A to progress, with another home stint coming in July later this year.
If they progress, Phase Two awaits. Once Phase Two is completed and the dust has settled, only the top eight (technically seven) will remain.
* Qatar have already qualified as the host nation.
Basketball Australia’s National Teams and Centre of Excellence are proudly supported by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and the High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy. As Australians, we aspire to win, and can inspire all with how we win. Win Well is our united commitment to success, by balancing ambitious performance goals with a culture of care, integrity, fair play and pride.
