The present batch of young players in the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team bears some resemblance to another group of players that formed the heart and soul of Team Philippines nine years ago.
Veteran team member Kiefer Ravena said this as Gilas headed for Jakarta, Indonesia for the coming 2022 FIBA Asia Cup this week.
“I see a resemblance to this team to the batch in 2013 in a way that they surrendered their egos for the betterment of the team,” said Ravena on the weekly program, “ Power and Play.”
The 28-year-old Ravena talked about the composition of Gilas after the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, released the roster of the team, which will be coached by Chot Reyes.
Back in 2013, the players who made up the squad would eventually bring the Philippines to a bronze-medal finish with an 80-79 triumph over China in the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup in Wuhan, China.
It was a star-studded squad which had great players in their prime, like Jimmy Alapag, Jason Castro, LA Tenorio, Gabe Norwood, Jeff Chan, Marc Pingris, Larry Fonacier and Junemar Fajardo.
“They were the stars of their college teams. Kumbaga, ibigay mo ang bola sa isa, may mangyayari, may pro-produce. With the country’s name in front their jerseys, they were able to see the bigger picture,” said Ravena, who was still starting out with Gilas back then.
The elder Kiefer will be with his younger brother Thirdy in Gilas, along with the returning Bobby Ray Parks, RJ Abarrientos, SJ Belangel, William Navarro, and Carl Tamayo. Peter Atencio
TNT Tropang Giga center Poy Erram, Francis Lopez, Geo Chiu, and Kevin Quiambao are also listed, with Rhenz Abando seen to be in reserve
Gilas is pooled in Group D together with New Zealand, India, and Lebanon.
Dwight Ramos won’t be around, because of an injury on the shin, along with center Ange Kouame (ACL injury). Dave Ildefonso will also miss the games because of a knee injury sustained during the recent World Cup 2023 Qualifiers.