By WAYLON GALVEZ
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has approved the start of training for the first batch of players in the Gilas Pilipinas program in preparation for Window 3 of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers next month in Clark, Pampanga.
The first batch is made up of the core that won two games in Window 2 last November in Bahrain, together with the coaching staff led by Gilas men’s team Project Director Tab Baldwin.
They entered the training facility yesterday at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
In the initial group are 2019 PBA Rookie Draft selections Isaac Go, Rey Suerte, and brothers Matt and Mike Nieto, as well as their Window 2 teammates Javi Gomez de Liano, Dave Ildefonso, Justine Baltazar, Calvin Oftana, William Navarro, and Kenmark Carino.
They are joined by naturalization candidate Angelo Kouame and Kiefer Ravena of the NLEX Road Warriors.
“These young men have not only proven their dedication to the Gilas program but have also shown their capability to work well as a team as we saw in the two games against Thailand in the last window,” said SBP President Al Panlilio.
“I’m thankful for their commitment as we continue to lay the foundation for the team we will form in 2023.”
Gilas won two games against Thailand in the bubble in Bahrain, 93-61 last Nov. 27 and 93-69 last Nov. 30 which improved the national team record to 3-0 ahead of Korea (2-0), Indonesia (1-2), and Thailand (0-4) for Group A.
Window 3 will be played at the Asian University Foundation (AUF) from Feb. 20 to 22 with the Philippines hosting Group A and Group C with Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Guam.
The national team takes on Indonesia on the 20th and Korea on the 22nd.
Panlilio said the first batch is in line with the SBP program of focusing on the amateur or younger players to prepare them for the 2023 FIBA World Cup the country is co-staging with Japan and Indonesia.
However, expect Batch 2 to have more PBA players joining the Inspire training bubble.
