The Gilas Pilipinas will have a hectic schedule when they compete in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in the city of Manama in Bahrain later this month.
The rejigged Gilas squad, which is now composed of collegiate standouts and special PBA draftees, will first face off against Thailand on November 27 before taking on bitter rivals South Korea the very next day. However, the game was noted with a blue code, which means it is still under consideration following earlier reports that South Korea was backing out of the competition due to concerns involving the dreaded Covid-19.
Gilas then takes on Indonesia on the 29th. This is the very same team that the Philippines drubbed, 100-70, in their first meeting back in February.
Another match versus Thailand then closes out the Gilas’ stint in the FIBA Asia “bubble.”
With most players from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) still competing in the Philippine Cup, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas have decided to send a much younger team to represent the country in the said tournament.
The 16-man team has former two-time Cesafi MVP, Rey Suerte and fellow special Gilas draftees Mike and Matt Nieto, Isaac Go and Allyn Bulanadi. They are being backstopped by a host of collegiate stars from Ateneo de Manila University, the University of the Philippines, San Beda and La Salle. (JNP)