PHILIPPINES’ Gilas 12 is set to strut their stuff in the Fiba World Championships in China.
This team is almost an entirely new crew assembled by coach Yeng Guiao. From the 2014 team, only Andray Blatche, Japeth Aguilar, June Mar Fajardo, Paul Lee, and Gabe Norwood got the chance to return to the World Cup joust. Completing the line-up are relatively young led by Kiefer Ravena, collegiate and PBA rookie standouts, CJ Perez and Robert Bolick. RR Pogoy and Troy Rosario will get their chance to shoot the lights out in China along with Raymond Almazan and Mark Barroca.
Depth chart
With three big men to rotate with, coach Yeng can pace the defensive chores in the paint. Agile wings who can dribble-drive and shoot from the perimeter can do wonders for the team’s offense while providing a solid defensive anchor. Steady playmakers are also vital to the team’s success. Though we only have one pure shooter in the line-up, the other players can also shoot from the distance if need be.
Team prospects
With the team aiming to become one often top two team’s get to the next round, they will have to slug it out with Italy (August 31), Serbia (September 2) and Angola (September 4). The bracket they are in is challenging with Serbia a shoo-in for the next round. They need to survive Italy and Angola to make it.
Barring injuries, this team will be exciting to watch and can probably survive the group phase. Though the “mystique” of the 2014 squad is not seen as an advantage this time, they still can pull off a couple of surprises with this line-up. Hopefully, these Gilas players are up to the challenge.
Praying for the team’s success and wishing to see “World Cup Gabe” again alongside the future core of Philippine basketball in Bolick, Perez and Ravena.
What we lack in skills, we always compensate in the way we play, ALL HEART. PUSO. Para sa Bayan.
Notes from the sidelines:
All the best to all the Batang Pinoy 2019 participants in Palawan. Another chance for young Filipino athletes to be recognized and get the opportunity of representing the country in future competitions. Cheers for Philippine sports!