Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
(C) PBA Images

2023 FIBA World Cup

Almazan sees Amos, Quiambao as future of Gilas


Raymond Almazan likes the potential of both Kevin Quiambao and Mason Amos after seeing the youngsters first-hand during Gilas Pilipinas’ preparations for Window 6 of the FIBA World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers.

So much so that he sees the two big men stepping up in their upcoming matches this week, with the Filipino dribblers’ frontline badly depleted.

“Nakita ko sa practice ‘yung Quiambao tsaka ‘yung Amos. They’re promising players,” said the veteran internationalist moments after Meralco’s 114-98 conquest of NLEX in the PBA Governors’ Cup, Thursday night.

2022-FIBA-Under-18-Asian-Championship-Gilas-vs-Chinese-Taipei-Mason-Amos Almazan sees Amos, Quiambao as future of Gilas 2023 FIBA World Cup Basketball Gilas Pilipinas News PBA  - philippine sports news

(C) FIBA.basketball

The 18-year-old Amos was named to the 12-man lineup set to face Lebanon on Friday at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, becoming the second youngest player to be fielded by Gilas in this cycle next to Francis Lopez.

2022-FIBA-Asia-Cup-Tall-Blacks-vs-Gilas-Kevin-Quiambao Almazan sees Amos, Quiambao as future of Gilas 2023 FIBA World Cup Basketball Gilas Pilipinas News PBA  - philippine sports news

(C) FIBA.basketball

Quiambao, meanwhile, remained as one of the team’s reserves, although he still has a chance to see action against Jordan on Monday.

The two are seen to take on bigger roles this window after the team lost Japeth Aguilar to an MCL sprain and both Kai Sotto and Carl Tamayo, who have recently flown to Japan for their respective B.League commitments.

Almazan, together with Chris Newsome, wasn’t included in the final lineup due to scheduling conflict — Meralco is playing a total of two games this week alone, the last of which will be on Sunday against the Magnolia Hotshots.

While Quiambao had already seen action with the seniors’ team, Amos will be making his debut on Friday — a huge leap as he was just part of the Gilas Youth crew that played in the FIBA U18 Asian Championship last August.

#ReadMore  Ginebra's 76-rebound effort spelled huge difference against Phoenix, says Greg Slaughter

The window will indeed be a bigger test for the young cagers but Almazan believes that it would only help them — and Gilas — for the better.

“Makikita mo may potential talaga na maging core ng national team,” said the 33-year-old, who’s been involved with the national team since 2017. “Kasi nakita ko sa dalawang bata talagang malaki matutulong nila in the near future.”

The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.




You May Also Like

Basketball

As Gilas Pilipinas braces for the grueling journey toward the 2027 FIBA World Cup, the potential return of 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto looms large...

Basketball

Cliff Hodge insisted there was no ill intent in his hard foul on Zavier Lucero that sparked a heated altercation late in Meralco’s 117-92...

Basketball

Paul Lee went on a heater run in the fourth quarter to help Magnolia finish strong against Meralco, 117-92, and stretch their unbeaten run...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone knows that tournament draws — like lotteries — are unpredictable and completely out of anyone’s control. And on...

Basketball

To say that Gilas Pilipinas faces a tall order in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers could be more than just an...

Basketball

Meralco can finally field all its stars for the Basketball Champions League Asia 2025 now that they’ve been cleared to play as locals by...

Basketball

Roger Pogoy came alive in the fourth quarter as TNT left Meralco a frustrated bunch, 101-84, to continue turning the corner in its PBA...

Basketball

Ateneo de Manila University will once again host archrival De La Salle University on its home floor, as the two squads collide in the...

Advertisement