By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) laid out its plans for the preparation of the Gilas Pilipinas men’s national basketball team for the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup.
During a senate hearing by the Committee on Sports headed by Senator Bong Go, SBP president Al Panlilio presented his plans regarding Gilas’ training camps and their projected pool.
According to Panlilio, the selected national Gilas squad will have a Europe and US training camp next year.
The projected date for the Europe training camp will be on June 2022 followed by another one in the US in July.
Aside from their intensive training camp, Panlilio also discussed that the national team will undergo a series of tune-up games from June-July.
The SBP is targeting a 25-man pool to begin its plans which will later be trimmed down to its initial playing pool set to be announced on May 22, 2023.
After the overseas training camp, the SBP together with its panel of coaches will sit down and announce the final playing pool in August.
Before the FIBA World Cup tournament proper kicks off on August 25-September 10 2023, the national team will have one last practice run from August 15-25.
Still leading the 25-man Gilas pool for the World Cup is former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson who had a stellar FIBA debut with the PHL squad against Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.
Also included in the pool are Kiefer Ravena, Scottie Thompson, Chris Newsome, CJ Perez, Roger Pogoy, Dwight Ramos, Thirdy Ravena, Jordan Heading, Poy Erram, Bobby Ray Parks, Calvin Oftana, Jamie Malonzo, Roosevelt Adams, Japeth Aguilar, Carl Tamayo, Troy Rosario, Kevin Quiambao, Kai Sotto, June Mar Fajardo, AJ Edu, and Geo Chui.
“Starting the end of late April, Gilas will start practicing and the goal is first to win back the gold medal in the SEA Games in early May, and really prepare for the World Cup starting that time,” said Panlilio.
