Kiefer Ravena (kaliwa) at kapatid na si Thirdy sa Gilas Pilipinas team practice sa Meralco Gym.
HANDA na ang Gilas Pilipinas na makipagbakbakan sa Indonesia sa kanilang nalalabing laro sa first window ng 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers ngayong darating na Linggo.
Buo na kasi ang 12-man lineup ng Pilipinas kontra Indonesia sa laro na gaganapin ngayong Linggo ng gabi sa Britama Arena sa Jakarta.
Pangungunahan ni team captain Kiefer Ravena ang koponan na binubuo ng pitong professional players mula sa Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) at limang manlalaro na nagmula sa amateur ranks.
Maliban kay Ravena, ang iba pang pro cagers ay sina CJ Perez, Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Poy Erram, Abu Tratter at Justin Chua.
Sina Isaac Go at Matt Nieto, na napili mula sa 2019 PBA Gilas special draft noong isang taon, ang mangunguna sa mga mahuhusay na manlalaro mula sa amateur ranks na kinabibilangan din nina Thirdy Ravena, Juan Gomez de Liaño at Dwight Ramos.
“It was not an easy team to pick. We had numerous combinations we would’ve gone with,” sabi ni Gilas interim coach Mark Dickel. “But the team in the last two days made it much easier to pick.”
Patungo naman ang PH men’s basketball team sa Jakarta ngayong Biyernes ng gabi.
“Our unit is one that features balance between youth and experience as we have seven PBA players, six of whom already have international basketball experience,” sabi ni Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio sa isang pahayag.
“Joining them are a group of hungry young players who are raring to represent the country and introduce themselves to the international basketball scene,” sabi pa ni Panlilio.