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Opinion

Gilas Boys opens FIBA U18 tilt vs Syria

Opinion

Gilas Boys opens FIBA U18 tilt vs Syria

By Reynald I. Magallon

The Gilas Pilipinas boys team opens its campaign in the FIBA U18 Asian Championship against Syria on Sunday, Aug. 21 at the Azadi Basketball Hall in Tehran, Iran.

Photo rom FIBA

The Filipino dribblers will get their first taste of the competition against a lower ranked albeit still dangerous Syrian team in their first game of the tournament at 7:15 p.m. Manila time.

It is imperative for the nationals which will be handled by long-time boys coach Josh Reyes to make a solid start especially being grouped with Chinese Taipei and Qatar. The format will also be a huge factor as the accumulative standings of all the teams from all of the groups will determine which teams will advance to the quarterfinals.

Size, however, won’t be a problem for Gilas as despite the departure of Kai Sotto and AJ Edu from the team, a slew of big men beaming with potential are ready to take the torch in the regional tilt where four slots for the FIBA U19 World Cup next year are at stake.

Holding the fort for the national team are 6-foot-8 Kobe Demisana from UP Integrated School, 6-foot-7 Fil-Aussie Mason Amos, Ateneo’s 6-foot-5 forward Kristian Porter and 6-foot-9 slotman Seven Gagate from La Salle.

Completing the crew are Fil-Am Kyle Gamber of Ateneo, Mur Alao, EJ Abadam and Joshua Coronel, LA Andres, and Luis Pablo of La Salle, Jared Bahay of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and James Nacua of San Beda-Taytay.

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