THREE tall players from the junior division of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and the National Collegiate Athletic Association are among those being called to join the new Gilas Pilipinas national pool.
National coach Chot Reyes is looking at the possibility of having the 7’2” Kai Sotto, the 6’7” Carl Tamayo and the 6’9” Will Gozum join the practices of the national squad that’s being readied when the Philippines co-hosts the 2023 FIBA World Cup with Japan and Indonesia.
“By no means final, but for now #23for23#thefuture #playlouderin2023 #basketballiscominghome,” said Reyes in a twitter message.
The 17-year-old Sotto is now playing for the Ateneo Blue Eaglets that are currently unbeaten after the first round of the 80th UAAP junior cagefest.
Gozum is the season MVP of the NCAA junior cagefest and played his last season for the Malayan High School Red Robins.
On the other hand, Tamayo, a transferee from Adamson University, is currently in Team B of the Nazareth School-National University Bullpups.
Officials of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas are looking for a new generation of basketball players, who will be able to showcase their talents in the FIBA World Cup six years from now.
They believe that the likes Jason Castro, Kiefer Ravena and other standouts belonging to the present batch of the Gilas Nationals will be too old for the tournament in 2023.
Reyes also included three Filipino-American players, who are currently based in the United States.
They are Dwight Ramos from California State University-Fullerton, Remy Martin of Arizona State University and Wake Forest’s Troy Rike.
Ramos is profiled as a 6’5” freshman guard, who is known back in high school for his defensive intensity.
Martin, also a freshman, stands 5’11” and is good on hustle and defense. He averages 10.2 points and 3.1 assists.
Rike is going into his senior year with Wake Forest and is a towering 6’7” forward.
Reyes has drafted a 23-man pool that also includes Kobe Paras, UAAP stars like Thirdy Ravena, Paul Desiderio and Isaac Go.
He is also considering as well as NCAA cagers Robert Bolick, CJ Perez, Jeo Ambohot and Javee Mocon.
Athletic guard Juan Gomez de Liano from the University of the Philippines is also listed.