Kieffer Alas (with ball) is aching for a spot in the national squad. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Despite short preparations, national coach Josh Reyes has high hopes for the young Gilas Pilipinas squad that will be competing in the Southeast Asia Basketball Association (Seaba) Under-16 Championship in Indonesia next week.
“The expectation is to win every game,” he told reporters shortly after one of the practices at Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna province.
“I don’t know if Indonesia or other teams have something up their sleeves, but we’re practicing as if they have,” he added.
Reyes said the Gilas management was only notified a few weeks ago that the short meet is now officially back in the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) calendar, which put the program’s buildup into rush mode.
Seaba is a Fiba Asia subzone that stages tournaments for 10 national federations. A big chunk of those meet was scratched when the coronavirus pandemic struck back in 2019.
The Philippines has ruled the last four editions of the tournament which serves as a pathway to the Asian Championship, and Gilas intends to keep things unchanged when the hostilities get going on July 17 at GOR Kertajaya arena in the port city of Surabaya.
Eighteen names have been neck-deep in training with Reyes, among them Irus Chua and Kieffer Alas—two youngsters fresh off the NBA Academy Asia Development Camp in Singapore who could very well crack the final roster that battles Malaysia on July 17, Thailand on the 18th before wrapping up its campaign against the hosts on the 19th.
“Last year, I got cut. I didn’t get the opportunity. But now I have a chance to represent the country,” said Alas, the La Salle-Zobel standout who is also the younger brother of NLEX star Kevin.
“This team can play in a World Cup,” he proudly added.
Kurt Velasquez, CJ Amos, Bon Daja, Paul Diao, Edryn Morales, Gian Gomez, Brian Hachuela, Elijah Williams, Ben Jimenez, Daniel Sta. Maria, Joaquin Ludivice, Ethan Kaw, Jheremy Godoy, Ziv Espinas, Champ Arejola and Jaime Gomez de Liaño make up the pool that will train one last time this weekend before leaving Indonesia on Sunday.
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