Carl Tamayo will be one of the mainstays playing for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup. Dennis Acosta (file photo) |
MANILA--Gilas Pilipinas tries a new mix of players when the country takes part in the FIBA Asia Cup, which begins on July 12, Tuesday, in Jakarta, Indonesia
Several players were added to the roster of Gilas Pilipinas, including Ray Parks, who is back in the program since playing for the national squad a few years ago. Another late addition is Poy Erram, Reyes’ player at TNT.
Erram will take over the spot temporarily vacated by injured naturalized player Angelo Kouame, who is still recovering from his injury. Another key player being sidelined is Japan B. League stalwart Dwight Ramos, who had to beg off from playing because of a shin injury.
This means that Coach Chot Reyes will have only 11 healthy bodies playing for the national squad. Aside from Parks and Erram, the team will also have Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Will Navarro, SJ Belangel , RJ Abarrientos, LeBron Lopez, Geo Chiu, Carl Tamayo, and Kevin Quiambao.
The FIBA Asia Cup is one of the events that serve as a preparatory tournament for next year’s FIBA World Cup, and Reyes is trying to find a different mix of players who can become potential members of next year’s squad.
“All our efforts now are in preparation for 2023. We are doing everything to have the best team possible by next year. So, we’re trying out different systems from putting up the best coaching team as well as assembling the best players who are willing to fight for their country,” said Reyes.
All the games of the FIBA Asia Cup, including those of Gilas, will be streamed live on the Smart GigaPlay app.
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