By MARK REY MONTEJO
Kiefer Alas will headline Gilas Pilipinas Boys who will fight for fame and glory against elite youth teams from across the globe in the 2024 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in Istanbul, Turkey, starting June 29.
Alas, brother of Kevin and son of coach Louie, spearhead the Nationals in the 7th edition of the biennial meet – which was inaugurated 14 years ago in Hamburg, Germany – with 16 qualified teams seeking a podium finish in the week-long cagefest.
The event has produced some of NBA stars, including NBA Champion Jayson Tatum of Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets’ Jalen Green, Los Angeles Lakers’ Rui Hachimura of Japan and Australians Dante Exum and Ben Simmons.
For Gilas boys head coach Josh Reyes, the challenge will be tougher than ever but vowed to do their best and show the Filipinos’ indomitable spirit.
“We want to prepare to the best of our ability. The ultimate goal, no matter what the situation, is to play basketball the right way,” Reyes said in Tuesday’s PSA Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT and the 24/7 sports app in the country, ArenaPlus.
“That’s the reason why we do this and why they play to go against the best. We don’t have delusions that it’s going to be easy,” he added. “Because we want to put our best foot forward as much as possible.”
Other members of the team are Paul Diao, Irus Chua, Noah Banal, Elijah Williams, Joaquin Ludovice, Kurt Velasquez, Sam Alegre, Cletz David Amos, Edryn Morales, Bonn Daja and Jaime Gomez de Liano.
The ranked No. 25 Philippines is in Group A and will tussle Spain (2nd) on June 29; Lithuania (7th) on June 30; and Puerto Rico (15th) on July 2.
“We plan to upset them, gusto naming patunayan na hindi lang kami pang-Asia. “We can put on a better showing if we play together and play the right way,” Alas stressed.
Meanwhile, world No. 1 USA, the 6-time champion since 2010, is in Group B along with France (3rd), China (24th) and Guinea (26th). Group C is made up of host Turkey (6th), Italy (8th), Argentina (16th) and New Zealand (27th).
Group D on the other hand, includes Australia (4th), Canada (9th), Germany (10th) and Egypt (23rd).
