by Dave Albarado
Editor’s Note: The regular author of this column is on leave for a few days. In the meantime, we are presenting another article written by a former sportswriter for Malaya Business Insight covering the PBA, NCAA, and the UAAP. He has remained connected with the sportswriting community in the country thus he is able to provide insider insights into the world of Philippine basketball
The Great Gilas Challenge 2021 is perhaps the busiest time for the Philippine national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas.
At least 20 youngsters are now inside the so-called “Calambubble” where the Gilas pool is training for upcoming tournaments.
About two months from now, Gilas will be busy competing with in the FIBA Asia qualifiers, third window. A win out of the three remaining games in the qualifiers means a ticket for Gilas in the main draw of the continental championships that will be held in Jakarta in August.
Before looking at the final draw of the FIBA Asia, there is a need to seal at least 1 win over either Indonesia or South Korea.
We need to understand that the Indonesians will be bannered by its naturalized player Lester Prosper and Indonesian-American. Brandon Jawato.
Coached by erstwhile Gilas coach Rajko Toroman, the Indonesia Patriots will face a young Gilas squad peppered with Gilas cadets and amateurs.
Gilas will be squaring off against an Indonesian squad with nothing to lose. As the hosts of the FIBA Asia Cup main draw, Indonesia is already qualified. Even if the team from Jakarta loses to Gilas and South Korea, still the team will compete in the main FiBA Asia Cup tournament.
Gilas will have to bank on its young guns to upend Indonesia and its arch nemesis, South Korea.
After the FIBA Asia Cup third window, Gilas is participating in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia from June 28 to July 4.
Gilas will be playing against Serbia and the Dominican Republic in the classification phase to earn the right to enter the knockout playoffs. Only the champion in the Olympic qualifier in Serbia will earn a ticket to the Olympics.
Of course, this is a long shot because Serbia manhandled Gilas in the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.
Gilas doesn’t stand a chance against Dominican Republic either.
Yet, the stint will give our young Gilas core the experience in international competition.
Angelo Kouame, the 6-foot-11, center will be Gilas Pilpinas’ man-in-the-middle.
I do hope Kai Sotto will join the team for the Olympic qualifiers.
Gilas will also defend its SEA Games crown by November or December in Hanoi, Vietnam, and it is unlikely for the PBA players to represent Gilas just like in Manila.