An Ilonggo sportsman believes that the 16-man lineup of Gilas Pilipinas for the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers will boost the morale of young cagers and expose them to more competitive tournaments.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) just revealed the pool comprised of an unusual collegiate lineup, with not even a single PBA player was included due to their ongoing bubble in Pampanga.
Ilonggo basketball coach Jophil Cercado said he is happy of the plan since it will be a long term strategy that will really train the players.
“We do that in the 80’s na we sent youth players in international competition that gives us recognition in the world of basketball,” he added.
The new Gilas pool will be led by 20-year-old Ivorian center from the Ateneo Blue Eagles, Ange Kouame, who is still waiting for his Filipino citizenship after a bill was passed to the Congress regarding his naturalization.
UP Fighting Maroons superstar Kobe Paras, brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liaño, UAAP star Dave Ildefonso, and NCAA MVP Calvin Oftana will also headline the team. Also included in the lineup are special Gilas draftees Isaac Go, Rey Suerte, Allyn Bulanadi, twins Mike and Matt Nieto, Jaydee Tungcab, Kemark Carino, Justine Baltazar, Dwight Ramos, and Will Navarro.
To recall, the SBP released their lineup after the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases finally gave them the go-signal to resume their training.IMT
