Gilas Pilipinas boys team assembled a tough group of the country's rising stars for its title defense in the 2023 Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) U16 Championship in Surabaya, Indonesia from July 17 to 19.

Kiefer Alas (left) and Elijah Williams (Smart Sports)

Although the Filipinos are pegged as the heavy favorites in the four-team field that also has rivals Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, Gilas head coach Josh Reyes refused to be complacent especially with a qualification to the FIBA U16 Championships in September is at stake.

"We don’t know if the teams like Indonesia or Thailand have things up their sleeves, but we’re practicing as if they have. We’re practicing to be ready for whatever,” said Reyes.

“This team is tough, they can shoot really well, and they want to learn the right game. This group, we’ll see them play tough defense, and work together to rise above our lack of height,” he added.

Bannering the squad are NBA Academy alumni Kieffer Alas and Irus Chua along with some familiar names in the likes of Ziv Espinas, son of former PBA player Gabby Espinas, and CJ Amos, brother of Gilas and Ateneo big man Mason Amos.

Also in the team that flew to Indonesia on Friday, July 14, are Elijah Williams, Paul Diao, Edryn Morales, Bon Daja, Joaquin Ludovice, Gian Gomez, Bryan Hachuela, Kurt Vasquez with Daniel Sta. Maria, and Champ Arejola also included as team’s reserves.

The Nationals will be playing for three straight days, debuting against the Malaysians on the 17th, then the Thais on the 18th before closing out the tournament against Indonesia on the 19th.

Gilas last ruled the tournament in 2017 with a perfect 5-0 record with the team then bannered by the likes of Kai Sotto, Geo Chiu, Terrence Fortea and Forthsky Padrigao.