Batang Gilas to showcase quadruple tower

The tallest-ever Under-17 Batang Gilas team will make their debut in the 2018 FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Santa Fe and Rosario, Argetina.

Headlining the Philippine-side is Asia’s best under-16 center in Asia, Kai Sotto.

The 7-foot-1 Ateneo Blue Eaglet will be joined by 6-foot-8 Geo Chiu, 6-foot-7 Raven Cortez, and the debuting 6-foot-7 Carl Tamayo.

For the guards, Tamayo’s fellow Bullpup Gerry Abadiano will also be making his debut.

Also in the line-up are the core of RC Calimag, Forthsky Padrigao, Terrence Fortea, Yukien Andrada, Joshua Lazaro, Maclaude Guadana, and Migs Pascual.

Bismarck Lina, Rafael Go, King Balaga, and Jorick Bautista did not make the cut.

The Philippines will take on Croatia on July 1 at 4:30am, and France on July 2 at 5:15am. After a one-day break, Batang Gilas will face host Argentina on July 4 at 7:30am. All games will take place at Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario, Argentina.

All teams in the group stages will advance to the round of 16.

Batang Gilas qualified for the tournament after facing fourth in the 2017 FIBA U-16 Asian Championship.