Gilas Youth drawn into tough group in FIBA U17 WC

Gilas' U17 squad has a tall task ahead early into the FIBA U17 World Cup. FIBA (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Gilas Pilipinas Youth was drawn with well-known European powerhouses for the FIBA U17 World Cup in Turkiye.

Following the draw in Istanbul on Wednesday, Gilas joined Spain, Lithuania, and North American side Puerto Rico in Group A.

The host country, on the other hand, is in Group C along with Argentina, New Zealand, and Italy.

Defending champion United States was grouped into an equally tough Group B consisting of China, France, and Guinea.

Group D consists of Egypt, Germany, Canada, and Australia.

Former NBA players Hedo Turkoglu, now the president of the Turkish Basketball Federation, and Jorge Garbajosa, the current FIBA Europe president, helped conduct the group draw along with FIBA President Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani, Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, Turkish basketball legend Kerem Tunceri, and Turkish minister of youth and sports Osman Askin Bak.

FIBA U17 World Cup draw was mainly sponsored by Filipino telecommunications giant Smart.

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