The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has called for the rest of the nation to rally behind Gilas Pilipinas as it ramps up its preparations for its looming clash against some of the world’s best in the 2023 FIBA World Cup which the country will be co-hosting alongside Indonesia and Japan in August.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio (PBA Images)

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No less than president Al Panlilio called for the country’s support as the Nationals not only aim for an impressive performance in front of their home crowd but also gun for an outright spot to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“We humbly seek the full support of our countrymen for our National Pool. They are about to begin the critical part of their training for the World Cup and they need everybody to fall behind them,” said Panlilio after Gilas Pilipinas finally named the 21-man pool from which the final 12 will be chosen for the global meet.

“We’re praying for the good health and safety of all the players, coaches and everyone involved with Gilas Pilipinas. This is our national team, and they are all committed to give their utmost best as they go up against the best players in the world,” added the newly-minted Second Vice President of the FIBA Asia Board.

Gilas is set to resume its training on Monday, June 12 after the team formally started its preparations last Wednesday, June 7, with a brief closed-door session at the Meralco Gym and was attended by a total of 14 players from the pool.

Injuries and players still resting their bodies still hampered Gilas which prompted head coach Chot Reyes to move the full training session to next week.

The team is also expected to go on a week-long training camp in Laguna next week before heading for Europe for a series of pocket tournaments against host Estonia and fellow World Cup-bound squads Finland, Lithuania and Latvia.

Except NBA star Jordan Clarkson, who is expected to join the buildup six weeks prior to the World Cup, and Kai Sotto, who is also in the US vying for a spot in the NBA Summer League, all of the pool members led by naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame along with PBA MVPs June Mar Fajardo and Scottie Thompson are joining the European trip.

Chris Newsome, Kiefer Ravena, CJ Perez, Rhenz Abando, Jordan Heading, Dwight Ramos, Jamie Malonzo, Thirdy Ravena, Japeth Aguilar, JP Erram, Carl Tamayo, AJ Edu, RR Pogoy, Ray Parks Jr. and Calvin Oftana completed the crew.

Gilas will be opening its World Cup campaign against Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan before facing Angola and world No. 10 Italy at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to wrap up their preliminary schedules.

The Nationals need at least two victories to qualify to the next round which is seen to boost the country’s bid of finishing as the best ranked Asian team in the tournament to qualify to the Olympics.