Gilas Pilipinas Basketball

With less than a week to go before the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China, Gilas Pilipinas this time will be able to bank on not just talent and chemistry, but also experience.

The national team announced the final 12 line-up for this year’s edition of the Worlds, and almost half of the roster have had prior World Cup experience.

Naturalized center Andray Blatche, Japeth Aguilar, June Mar Fajardo, Gabe Norwood, and Paul Lee were all part of the 2014 edition of the international meet under head coach Chot Reyes, and they will now be joining seven more newcomers for the 2019 World Cup.

With five of the 12-man roster having prior experience, it could be a vital advantage for the Philippines, which the team didn’t have five years ago.

“Yung unang World Cup, eye-opener para sa Philippines. First taste namin ng international competition outside of Asia,” Aguilar said.

“May idea na kami ngayon gaanong kalalakas yung mga team. Preparation talaga (ang difference this time). Mayroon sa team na pwedeng i-share or i-point out anong mga kailangan nilang gawin. Ang comparison ko lang, dati, we have to learn it on our own.”

Gilas finished with a 1-4 record during the 2014 meet, only beating Senegal but giving good challenges to Croatia, Greece, Argentina, and Puerto Rico.

The nationals lost by only an average of 5.5 points to their international counterparts and gained respect worldwide.

“Mas maga-guide namin sila. Pwede namin sila bigyan ng advice kung kina-kailangan kasi hindi natin alam anong klaseng sitwasyon yung darating sa atin,” Lee added.

Lee came in only as a replacement for what many believed to be Larry Fonacier’s slot for the 2014 World Cup. But the Magnolia Hotshots guard delivered well, including their game against Argentina where he would knock down timely outside shots.

Now, Lee will also be one of those guys to provide advice to the rest of their teammates who will be making their World Cup debuts.

“Lalo na sina Gabe, Dray, and Japeth, grabe yung experience nila sa international. Malaking bagay na mayroon kaming tatlong player na pwede mag-advice sa amin sa laro sa international,” Lee said.

Gilas will face Italy in their 2019 World Cup opener on August 31, followed by a clash with one of the gold medal favorites in Serbia two days after. They will conclude their Group D play against African side Angola on September 4.

By Levi Verora, Jr.