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| Isaiah Africano, who went undrafted in the recent PBA Draft, will join Jericho Cruz in Guam's lineup against Gilas. Pacific University (file photo) |
MANILA—Jericho Cruz will not be the only player who has extensive knowledge of Philippine basketball in Guam's lineup for the first window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
Isaiah Africano, an applicant in this year's PBA Draft, was also called up for the Guamanian squad that will take on Gilas Pilipinas in a home-and-home set to begin their road to Qatar.
Born to a Filipina mother from Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Norte and a Colombian father, Africano, listed at six-feet-two-inches, played college ball at Pacific University in the NCAA Division 3.
The 25-year-old guard tried his luck in last September's draft proceedings, but he was among 45 players who were passed upon by the PBA's 12 member teams.
In an interview with the league during the draft combine, Africano said that he sees himself more as a defensive player and tends to be more vocal during in-game chats.
"The communication is big for me. If you see me play and watch me play live, you're gonna notice I'm one of the loudest players on the court at all times, especially defensively," Africano said, adding that he loves to hustle too for the offensive rebound.
He also said that he prefers driving to the paint for the layup, going for the best possible shot, and passing to teammates if needed.
The two Gilas versus Guam games, one at the University of Guam Calvo Field House on Nov. 28 and another at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City on Dec. 1, could be Africano's best opportunity to showcase what Gilas head coach Tim Cone, concurrently Ginebra's main gaffer, and assistant coaches LA Tenorio, also Magnolia's chief tactician, and Jong Uichico, NLEX's mentor, may have missed out from him.
Completing the Guamanian dozen, to be coached by EJ Calvo, are Mark Johnson, Tomas Calvo, Jonathan Galloway, Kirston Guzman, Joe Blas, Daren Hechanova, Takumi Simon, DJ Osborn, Matt Fegurgur, and Tai Wesley.
