Chris Newsome is determined to crack the Gilas Pilipinas roster for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup following a strong performance in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.
Showing up in street clothes while watching Meralco’s first game in the Philippine Basketball Association On Tour last Wednesday, Newsome said he is taking a breather before joining Gilas in their training for the World Cup starting 1 June.
Newsome displayed impressive performance in the SEA Games.
The 6-foot-2 guard has what it takes to play in the World Cup with his versatility, outside shooting, and ability to defend athletic players.
“A lot of us in that roster has played big games before,” Newsome said.
“We played in Game 7 and Game 6 of a championship series. We’ve been in the finals and bigger crowd cheering, so we put in into perspective that this was just another game when we played for the gold medal.”
“The coaching staff did a great job in making the adjustments and it actually worked out for us. It came down to execution.”
After a strong SEA Games performance, Newsome is very much looking forward to the restart of the training camp in which Gilas will hold uninterrupted training sessions for the next three months, including a training camp in Lithuania and potential pocket tourneys.
Newsome said making it to the World Cup is a dream come true.
“It would be a dream come true if I make that line up,” Newsome said.
“You’re going up against the best players in the world and that’s the closest thing to the NBA. Of course, I want to be in that line up, but it comes down to the decision of the coach. But I’m available, I’m 100 percent healthy and I’m ready to go when my name is called upon.”
“We showed that a little bit in the SEA Games and hopefully, that helps.”
