Gilas to play in pocket tournament

IF plans don’t miscarry, Gilas Pilipinas will be part of an eight-team pocket tournament that could feature five foreign national squads as part of the Filipinos’ buildup for the 2023 FIBA World Cup slated in August.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Sonny Barrios said the pocket tournament will be held at the tail end of June, which could also serve as a “dress rehearsal” for the country’s hosting of the FIBA World Cup.

“Wala pa tayong matatawag diyan (pocket tournament) but we could say they are test games that will serve as dress rehearsals since ilalaro ang mga games sa Mall of Asia Arena, Araneta Coliseum and Philippine Arena,” Barrios confided to The Manila Times.

Under the proposed tournament setup, Gilas Pilipinas will play against two PBA selection teams and five foreign national squads.

“We already sent out letters of invitation to different federation. Now we are just waiting for their responses and sana sumagot sila ng maaga, though kung maghihintay pa ‘yung iba ng until April 29 for the (World Cup) draw, medyo late na,” he explained.

Barrios added their intention has always been to help Gilas Pilipinas get the best preparation possible in a bid to surpass the national team’s one win performance in the 2014 World Cup edition in Seville, Spain.

“We understand that Europe teams are arranging their own pocket tournaments there, but we will see,” he added.

Gilas, which has had training sessions for the last four Mondays, is looking to get a complete pool, minus injured big man Japeth Aguilar and 7-foot-2 Kai Sotto, who has begged off for the sixth and final window of the Asian qualifiers.

Veteran slotman Kelly Williams, who was included in the pool to take the spot of injured Ange Kouame, is expected to show up as well on Monday as the team ramps up its preparation for the World Cup Asian Qualifiers where the host team collides with the Wael Arajkiled Lebanon on February 24 before facing Jordan on February 27.

Both games will be held at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee, who just took his oath of citizenship last January, will be making his first appearance in a Gilas uniform as a naturalized Filipino.