Caelum Harris headlines Gilas lineup for FIBA Asia U16 tilt

Caelum Harris will lead Gilas Youth in the FIBA Asia U16 Championship. From Harris' Instagram account

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Caelum Harris will be the main attraction for Gilas Pilipinas' under-16 team as the squad will compete in the FIBA Asia U16 Championship in Doha, Qatar from June 12-19.

The six-foot-seven Harris, whose family hails from Cebu, has been named to the Gilas Youth squad for the said tournament as announced by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

While this year's Gilas Youth team does not have the same star power as the one led by NBA Draft aspirant Kai Sotto last decade, it remains to be formidable with Harris at the helm.

Also named to the team are Dwyne Miranda, the son of former PBA star Denok, and Kristian Porter, the younger brother of current Phoenix Fuel Master Kristoffer.

Completing the roster are Lebron Nieto, Alex Konov, Basti Reyes, Zain Mahmood, Jayden Jones, Renzo Competente, Elijah Yusi, Andy Gemao, Santi Romero, CJ Amos, Iñigo Torres, Veejay Pre and Jacob Bayla.

Josh Reyes makes his return as head coach.

Gilas has been placed in Group C alongside Japan and Kuwait.

The top team in the said group will earn an outright quarterfinal seats, while the other two teams will have to play in the wildcard phase if they want to make the quarterfinals too.

The quarterfinal survivors, regardless of what happens to their semifinal fate, will qualify for the FIBA U17 World Championship later this year.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno