Batang Gilas ready to plunge into FIBA U-18 Asia action
BATANG Gilas will compete in the FIBA U- 18 Asian Championship from August 5 to 11 in Nonthaburi, Thailand with the ultimate aim of qualifying for the FIBA Under-19 World Championship
Leading Batang Gilas are the 7’1 Kai Sotto and the 6’10 AJ Edu. The Philippines will be competing against Lebanon, United Arab Emirates and China in Bracket B
“In the FIBA Asia level, you really can’t pick a group,” said coach Josh Reyes, son of Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes in Thursday’s news conference prior to the team’s departure Friday morning.
“All the teams there are tough. It may seem that you want to pick a group but there’s nothing to choose from. You have to prepare your best and bring you’re A-game to have a chance at success.”
Batang Gilas needs to make it to the top four to qualify for the U-19 World Championship.
“Our goal is to win each game, so we’ll get the best possible standing after the group stages. We play three games into the group stages then we cross over with the other group, then that will be a knockout match,” Reyes added.
will have a day off and that’s the ideal scenario.”
Bracket A is composed of Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan and Indonesia. Bracket C is comprised of Austra- host Thailand while Bracket D is composed of South Korea, Taiwan, India and Syria.
then we expect to play maybe six to seven games in six to seven days. That’s just how the tourney is and it is all knockout after the group stages.”
Sotto and Edu will be supported by Raven Cortez , Carl Tamayo, Gerry Abadiano, Bismarck Lima, Joshua Ramirez, Dalph Panopio, Geo Chiu, Dave Ildefonso, Xyrus Torres, Miguel Oczon and Rhayyan Amsali.
“I will do my very best to help the team,” said Sotto who represented the country in four international tourneys this year.
“I just think it’s great, to represent Philippines. It’s been something I’ve been looking forward to. I’m really excited for the tournament, I’m really looking forward to it,” concluded Edu.