By REYNALD MAGALLON
The Gilas Pilipinas Boys team launches its campaign in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup against perennial rival Chinese Taipei on Sunday, Aug. 31 at the Buyant Ukhaa Sport Complex in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Clinching the Asia Cup spot after topping the SEABA qualifiers last May, head coach LA Tenorio is bringing the same intact roster for the continental meet.
SEABA Most Valuable Player Gab Delos Reyes is expected to lead the charge anew along with the pair of 6-foot-7 forwards Prince Carino and Jeremiah Antolin. Also bannering the team are Ethan Tan-Chi, Travis Pascual and Jhustin Hallare who made heads turn during the qualifier.
Also part of the team are Andwele Cabanero, Everaigne Cruz, Travis Pascual, Jhello Lumague, John Restificar, Jolo Pascual and the lone addition Brian Orca who will take the spot of Chris Miranda.
Tip-off of the match is at 7 p.m. with the Nationals looking at the game as springboard for the team’s preliminary schedule that also included a clash against New Zealand and Indonesia.
Gilas Boys are looking to match, if not best, its fourth place finish in the last edition in Qatar to assure itself a spot in the FIBA U17 World Cup in Turkey next year.
To do that, however, Gilas needs to finish at the top spot of its group to directly qualify to the quarterfinals. A second or third place finish, meanwhile, would force the team to take a longer route as it has to go through a crossover qualification match for a Top 8 spot.
A fourth place finish in the group, however, meant the end of the road for the boys.
