Gilas Pilipinas Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Yeng Guiao had high praise for PBA rookies CJ Perez and Robert Bolick, who both made the final 12-man roster for the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.

With injuries to main wing men Marcio Lassiter and Matthew Wright, it seemed Guiao was virtually left with no choice but to include both Perez and Bolick for the final 12.

But Guiao clarified that the two rookies deserved their inclusion as they stepped up and performed well particularly during the Spain training camp where Gilas won three games against Ivory Coast and Congo.

“Everybody, it does not mean the rest of the guys who were injured are not deserving. Everybody is deserving, including the rookies,” Guiao said.

“As you know, they’ve played well in the games you’ve seen, but even in the closed door games, in the two games they’ve played. That helped us a lot in making the decision.”

Perez and Bolick continued their inspired play even during the Gilas’ two-game exhibition series against the Adelaide 36ers.

Given how they performed, Guiao believes they can do the same in the World Cup.

“The mere fact they were able to adjust their game from the PBA to the world-class level in a short time says a lot about these two guys,” he said.

“They have not experienced this competition yet but in the short time, they were able to upgrade their style, their game, so I have no doubt they will do well in the World Cup.”

Guiao went on to add that “certain events and circumstances” factored into his decision, even adding it boiled down to picking between Beau Belga and Raymond Almazan.

“Yung composition ng team as I’ve said, certain events and circumstances came into play which made it easier (to pick the Final 12). The injuries to Poy (Erram), Marcio, and Matt, practically decided the outcome of the 12-man line-up,” Guiao shared.

“Konti na lang yung pinag-usapan namin. Maybe we really came to a point where it was between Beau Belga or Raymond Almazan. But Raymond kasi, got injured in the last window. Hindi siya nakalaro so we felt this is the time for him to actually experience and play na rin sa World Cup.”

Gilas will face Italy first in the group stages, where they are joined by Serbia and Angola in Group D.

The mentor said shooting will be crucial for the squad, and he is confident any from the 12-man squad can step up even without their vital shooters.

“Of course we would have wanted Marcio and Matthew but it’s useless wasting energy thinking about that. There are guys who can step up. I think we are able to win games without Marcio and Matt. It’s a good sign. The guys know if we shoot well, we will win games,” he said.

“Crucial ang outside shooting natin but I think these guys can step up when the time comes. Sayang, we would have wanted Marcio and Matthew.”

By Levi Verora, Jr.