Gilas Pilipinas kicks off its campaign against Malaysia in the Southeast Asia Basketball Association U16 Championship on Monday at the GOR CLS in Surabaya, Indonesia.
But prior to stepping on the court at 5 p.m., the young Filipino cagers were fired up by prominent coaches Norman Black and Chot Reyes as well as TNT Tropang Giga veteran Kelly Williams.
Black, who coached the Nationals in the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, said he preached the importance of communication to the young Filipino cagers, who will shoot for a slot in the FIBA Asia U16 Cup in September.
“I just talked to them about the importance of communication among themselves since they have been together for a very short amount of time,” Black, a grand slam mentor in the Philippine Basketball Association, said.
“Of course, when you communicate, it is also important to be a good listener.”
“On the court, it’s a must for the team to have a solid individual and team defense in short tournaments. They need to know their defensive game plans. But most of all, the most important thing is to give their best for the country.”
Gilas will be parading a solid lineup.
Leading the charge is CJ Amos, who made a strong impression in various age-group tourneys in Australia before deciding to join his older brother, Mason, in the Philippines.
Mason, of course, is a mainstay in the Gilas program and will see action for Ateneo de Manila University in the coming season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
Also set to banner the Filipinos, who will be coached by Josh Reyes, Rob Labagala and Allan Albano, are Paul Diao, Kieffer Alas, and Ziv Espinas.
The 6-foot-5 Diao played in the United States before trying his luck in the country while Alas and Espinas are second-generation players who played for De La Salle Zobel in the UAAP.
Alas is the youngest son of former PBA coach Louie Alas and brother of NLEX guard Kevin Alas while Espinas is the son of former PBA cager Gabby Espinas.
Other players in the roster are Irus Chua, Elijah Mark Williams, Joaquin Gabriel Ludovice, Kurt Nathan Velasquez, Bryan Hachuela, Edryn Morales, Bonn Ervin Daja, and Gian Gomez
