Gilas faces Canada
Games Today (Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium) 11 a.m. – Iraq vs India 1 p.m. – South Korea vs Chinese Taipei-White 3 p.m. – Canada vs Philippines 5 p.m. – Iran vs Lithuania 7:30 p.m. – Chinese Taipei-Blue vs Japan
TAIPEI — Gilas-Pilipinas puts its title retention bid in motion when it faces a Canadian club that will parade a sevenfooter and two dribblers Fil-Canadian gunner Matthew Wright knows well as the William Jones Cup basketball tournament begins Saturday at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium.
The Toronto-born Wright says that Canada, which will carry the name of 3D Global Sports, looks solid based on the roster that was submitted to organizers.
“They’re a good team, strong team. I know two of their players,” said Wright, a PBA rookie with Phoenix Fuel who points to Tramique Sutherland and Dallin Bachynski as acquaintances.
Iraq and India clash in the opener at 11 a.m., followed by host Chinese TaipeiWhite against South Korea at 1 p.m., Iran versus Lithuania at 5 p.m., and CTBlue opposite Japan at 7:30 p.m.
The sweet-shooting 6-foot-4 Wright is part of the 17-man Gilas squad that will try to defend the Jones Cup title. Backed by seven reinforcements, Mighty Sports made a clean 8-0 sweep of the tournament to capture the championship last year.
In this edition of the Jones Cup, the national team will be tested, and it starts with Canada, major player in the international scene.
“All we know is that this team is tough, and they have a seven-footer,” said Gilas team manager Butch Antonio, referring to Bachynski, a 7-footcenter who played for Utah University.
“Right off the bat, our team will be tested. But the players are ready for this tournament. We know it’s going to be a tough tournament for our players, for this national team, but we know they’ll give it their best… their puso in every game,” added Antonio.
Another inside threat for Canada is Michale Kyser, a 6-foot-10 forwardcenter whose resumé includes a stint with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the NBA D-League and Louisiana Tech during college.
To negate Canada’s advantage in size, 6-8 American reinforcement Mike Myers, has been tapped, alongside FilGerman Christian Standhardinger, who is as tall as Myers.
“I’m just excited for this opportunity to play for the national team. I’ll give everything – rebounding and energy – to help us win games,” said Standhardinger.
Also in the lineup are PBA rookie and “cadet” members Mac Belo, Roger Pogoy, Alfonso Gotladera, Kevin Ferrer, Jio Jalalon, Mike Tolomia, Von Pessumal, Carl Bryan Cruz and Ed Daquioag.
Joining them are amateur stalwarts Keifer Ravena, Kobe Paras, Reymar Jose, Almond Vosotros and Ray-Ray Parks, who played for the national team that saw action in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) under coach Tab Baldwin in Manila last year.