WITH his contract with the Gilas Pilipinas set to expire at the end of February, former Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) MVP Rey Anthony Suerte has a big decision to make on whether he’ll be moving on to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) or stay with the national team.
Helping to guide the University of the Visayas product is renowned player agent Danny Espiritu, who said he’ll be talking with Suerte to chart his career path. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), though, is keen on bringing back Suerte especially for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying window that will be held in Manila.
With Gilas mainstays like Dwight Ramos, Thirdy Ravena and Kai Sotto highly unlikely to play for the Gilas due to the stringent protocols for people returning to the country from overseas, much will be expected of Suerte, who was selected second overall by Blackwater during the 2019 special Gilas draft.
Suerte averaged 6.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in a couple of stints for the national team in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
The Gilas has a tough task waiting for them in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers as they take on longtime rivals Korea, India and New Zealand. The Philippines is co-hosting the 2023 World Cup and is already assured of a spot in the main draw.