Team Gilas vies in Champs Cup

The Philippines takes over the spot of Japan in the 2017 FIBA Asia Champions Cup, re-assembling the Gilas pool that will carry the Chooks To Go banner in the Asian inter-club event slated Sept. 22-30 in Chenzhou-Hunan, China.

“It’s a request from the FIBA which (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas patron) MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan) approved,” said SBP executive director Sonny Barrios.

Ten Asian club teams slug it out in the tourney, including the China Kashgar team that will feature Filipino naturalized player Andray Blatche.

Others in the field are BC Astana of Kazakhstan, Mono Vampires of Thailand, PetroChimi of Iran, Sarreyyet Ramallah of Lebanon, Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates, ONGC of India, the Palestine’s Al Riyadi and Chinese Taipei’s Dacin Tigers.

The 10 teams are divided into two groups playing one round robin competition. The top four from each group advance to the knockout play.

Chooks To Go is bracketed in Group A with BC Astana, Mono Vampires, PetroChimi and Sarreyyet Ramallah.

“We’re assembling the team from the expanded Gilas pool. PBA players will not be included here,” said Gilas team manager Butch Antonio.

Northern Cement (1984), Swift PABL (1988), Andok’s (1995), Hapee Toothpaste (1996) are Philippine club teams that have ruled the event.