With the Asia Cup happening on August in Indonesia, Gilas head coach Tab Baldwin looks to add Negros cager Mark Nonoy and Rhenz Abando to the expanded Gilas pool. The cup is the first window of the World Cup Qualifiers which will take place in the last week of November, while the 31st Southeast Asian Games closes out the year in Hanoi.
Baldwin said Gilas Pilipinas will have no rest as it prepares for another series of tournaments to close out the year, the reason why they wanted to have a reinforcement for the team.
“We are looking at players like Mark Nonoy and Rhenz Abando as well,” he told Zoom In.
Nonoy, during his rookie year in UAAP Season 82, averaged 11.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists for University of Santo Tomas. The former cager of Hua Siong College of Iloilo also won the Rookie of Year during his stint.
“Mark at the point is small but just watching him play, talking to the coaches about him, and thinking about it more, he is a kid that seems to overcome the limitations of his size,” he added.
The 23-year-old Abando has also proven that he can play in big games. During his sole season in UST, he posted 11.71 points, 5.29 rebounds, and a team-high 1.29 blocks.
“For Rhenz Abando, he is a kid that can really shoot the ball — a tremendous athlete. And he shows that he can play in big moments.”
Meanwhile Nonoy, who starred in various local games before he played in Manila said he’s happy to be considered in the line up.
“Masaya ako and sana po ma bigyan po ako ng opportunity po na maka pag training and gagawin ko po lahat ng best ko hndi ko po to sasayangin yung chance na binigay sakin,” he added.IMT
Photo of Nonoy from NBA 5v5
