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Gilas Pilipinas’ men’s team departed for Manama, Bahrain, over the weekend to battle it out in the November window of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asian Cup qualifiers scheduled for later this week.
Comprised of amateur and college stars, the team admits a tough challenge awaits, but is determined to get the job done and give the country a boost in the tournament and build momentum for future windows.
“This is a good opportunity to show what our young players can do, but we are ready to compete and win,” Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas said as they set their goals for the team competing in Bahrain.
Fourteen players are included in the Gilas pool for the tournament, namely: Kobe Paras, Juan and Javi Gomez De Liano, Jaydee Tungcab, Dwight Ramos, Dave Ildefonso, Will Navarro, Justine Baltazar, Calvin Oftana, Kenmark Carino, Isaac Go, Matt and Mike Nieto and Rey Suerte.
Allyn Bulanadi and naturalized player candidate Angelo Kouame were part of the group but were unable to join the team with the former injured and the latter still awaiting their roles.
The team’s coach is veteran Jong Uichico, supported by SBP program director Tab Baldwin, assistant coach Boyet Fernandez, and skills coach Alton Lister.
The team will face Thailand twice in the November window: first on November 27 and the second on November 30 at Khalifa Sports City Stadium.
The Philippines (1-0) were also supposed to face South Korea, but the Koreans chose not to compete in the window due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. It remains to be seen whether penalties will be imposed for their decision.
“We are now in the process of preparing them for the international game. They are young so we are trying to simplify things for them given the limited time we have, ”said Mr. Uichico, also director of SBP’s coaching academy.
For Mr. Go, a Terrafirma Dyip recruit in the Philippine Basketball Association but who is currently on loan to the national team, there is pressure as they go into battle, but they are using it as additional motivation to do well.
“There is pressure, of course, since we are representing the country but we are working to improve and be prepared,” said the former Ateneo star.
The Philippines are currently in second place in Group A playoffs, behind South Korea (2-0). Other teams in the group are Indonesia (0-2) and Thailand (0-1). The top two teams in the group at the end of the playoffs advance to the FIBA Asia Cup scheduled for August next year.
PLDT, SMART RALLY BEHIND GILAS
Meanwhile, the country’s largest integrated telecommunications company PLDT and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. are joining Gilas Pilipinas with connectivity as it represents the Philippines in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
In a statement, the groups said that GIGAROAM will boost the data roaming connectivity of the Gilas Pilipinas team in Bahrain. With Smart’s global coverage and flexible data roaming plans, the team will be able to stay online, access their favorite apps and sites, and connect with their fans on social media while abroad.
Apart from that, members will also be able to enjoy 100 minutes of on-net calls to their family members at home through Free Bee, powered by PLDT Global. – Michael Angelo S. Murillo
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