The sons of former Philippine Basketball Association players are fighting for slots in the Batang Gilas squad that will see action in the Southeast Asia Basketball Association U16 tournament that will be held from 15 to 19 July in Surabaya, Indonesia.
Kieffer Alas, Daniel Sta. Maria and Deydi de Ocampo are religiously attending the trainings, hoping to join the team that will compete in the regional tourney that serves as a qualifier for the FIBA Asia U16 Championships.
The 6-foot-3 Alas, a De La Salle Zobel standout, is the son of multi-titled coach Louie Alas and youngest brother of NLEX playmaker Kevin Alas.
He made a lot of heads turn in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, earning him an invite in the National Basketball Association Asia Development Camp in Singapore and the Basketball Without Borders Asia in Abu Dhabi recently.
Sta. Maria, on the other hand, is a 6-foot-5 forward who is a son of former La Salle slotman Adonis Sta. Maria.
The younger Sta. Maria played with Alas as an import in Indonesia when he was 11 years old and had already blossomed into one of the most reliable role players of Zobel coach Boris Aldeguer.
“His progress was far better than me when I was at that age,” said Adonis, who was drafted in the second round by Shell before moving to Sta. Lucia, Welcoat and Barako Bull in an eight-year NBA career.
“Although I did play in the PBA for eight years, Daniel has been exposed not just here, but also internationally so I could tell that he has a more promising career ahead.”
De Ocampo is the son of PBA great Ranidel de Ocampo.
The young de Ocampo is already taller than his 6-foot-6 dad, but he is still a work in progress.
Other notable players fighting for rosters spots are guards CJ Amos, younger brother of Gilas Pilipinas player Mason Amos, Gian Gomez and Bryan Hachuela from La Salle Green Hills.
Aside from these prospects, four Filipino players based in the United States are set to join the pool members, according to Batang Gilas coach Josh Reyes.
“We were really methodical in bringing players in and putting in offensive and defensive systems,” Reyes said.
“Now, we just have to put it in altogether, all at once because of the sudden announcement of the SEABA tournament. In less than four weeks’ time, we’ll compete in a very, very important tournament.”
