Let’s go, Gilas Pilipinas!
Gilas Pilipinas, the country’s national men’s basketball team, is all set to begin its 2023 FIBA World Cup campaign after months of preparation that took several interesting twists and turns.
The prep-up was put to an end recently when the final 12 players were named by the team’s think tank, led by head coach Chot Reyes.
The team is bannered by Filipino-American National Basketball Association star Jordan Clarkson, who will play as a naturalized player.
Clarkson, who plays for the Utah Jazz in the NBA, is joined by Philippine Basketball Association most valuable players Scottie Thompson and June Mar Fajardo; Gilas and PBA veterans Japeth Aguilar, Roger Pogoy and CJ Perez; young big men Kai Sotto and AJ Edu; do-it-all Jamie Malonzo; and overseas campaigners Kiefer Ravena, Dwight Ramos and Rhenz Abando.
Fittingly, being the longest-tenured player in Gilas, Aguilar was named team captain.
The inclusion of Clarkson to the team is a no-brainer, albeit admittedly I would have loved to see Justin Brownlee, another naturalized player, playing in the World Cup, considering all the stuff he put into the lead-up.
But Clarkson is a bona-fide NBA talent and it is going to be tough to argue with that.
He brings a lot of dimensions to the team, particularly on offense, with his ability to create shots from various spots for him and his teammates.
His services are important not only for this edition of the World Cup but also in future competitions that Gilas will be competing in.
Aguilar and Fajardo, being among the country’s top bigs, will play a vital role.
Up against mostly bigger players in the tournament, how far they can go will be telling for how the team will fare.
Aguilar’s athleticism and mobility should serve him in good stead in keeping in step with opposing bigs who can play both in and out while Fajardo’s heft and experience will come in handy as he battles it out down the low block.
Battling alongside them are young guns Sotto and Edu.
I am happy to see both of these guys now playing with the seniors squad after parlaying their wares with the youth team.
They surely add length and range to the frontcourt on both ends.
I expect this tour as the first of many down the line that the two will be part of.
Manning the point guard spot are Thompson and Ravena.
So happy that Thompson’s injured hand healed just in time for the start of Gilas’ campaign because the team needs a player like him in the fold.
Do-it-all, the reigning PBA most valuable player can easily change the complexion of games in various ways when he is on the court.
He has become more potent of late after developing a consistent shot from beyond the arc.
Interestingly, Ravena’s inclusion in the team has taken flak for some quarters, which I do not understand.
The guy has been part of many iterations of the national team and is surely familiar with international play.
He may not be the prototypical point guard but is a consummate team player with a high basketball I.Q., who can be counted on to execute game plans.
I agree with some, however, that hopefully he finds his shot in the tournament so as to become more potent against opposing teams.
Ramos is another who was considered a shoo-in for the team.
Easily the most consistent player since the World Cup buildup started, he is expected to play both guard positions and, in some cases, the small forward spot, which he has shown capable of doing.
Pogoy and Perez are going to be among the gunners and shooters of the team.
Cebu native Pogoy has been a staple in Gilas in the past years and has proven to be a reliable soldier on both ends. What I like about him is he is battle-tested on the international stage and is not afraid to go up against bigger and tougher opponents.
Perez is as explosive as it gets. He impressed in the last edition of the World Cup in 2019 in China, finishing in double digits in scoring, something he is highly capable of replicating in this edition of the basketball spectacle.
Malonzo, meanwhile, is also around like his Barangay Ginebra teammate Thompson. He has more size though and can soar, which is going to be a boon on both ends.
Then there is Abando, who throughout the buildup was low-key but effective. He is also a two-way player who relies on his mobility and hops to pose problems to opponents.
In coming up with the final 12, Reyes and the rest of his staff, which includes champion coaches Tim Cone and Jong Uichico, had to make some difficult cuts from the pool.
The last four to be cut were Thirdy Ravena, Ray Parks, Jr., Calvin Oftana and Chris Newsome, who were all worthy of a spot in the final roster.
They may not be included in the 2013 World Cup team but our appreciation should go to them for being part of the process and making their services available to the country.
Now with a complete team, official work begins for Gilas.
It remains to be seen how far the team we came up with can go, but this I know, we are not going into battle with empty shells.
All we need to do is make things happen. So, let’s go, Gilas!
Laban Pilipinas! Puso!
Gilas Pilipinas will begin its 2023 FIBA World Cup campaign on opening day on August 25 against the Dominican Republic at 8 p.m. at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
The tournament runs until September 10.
