Kieffer Alas and the Gilas Pilipinas Boys will face a tough group during the FIBA Under-17 World Cup 2024.
The Philippines will be placed alongside Spain, Lithuania, and Puerto Rico in the global conclave set to take place from June 29 to July 7 in Turkey.
Gilas Boys secured their ticket to the world stage after finishing fourth in the Under-16 Asian Championships a year ago.
Some standout players from that team included Alas, Bonn Daja, Wacky Ludovice, and Kurt Velasquez.
However, the young Filipinos will face a tougher challenge on the world stage.
Leading the European champions Spain is the backcourt duo of Gildas Gimenez and Guillermo del Pino.
Meanwhile, Lithuania, which finished 4th in the European championship, will be led by the 6-foot-7 big man Arturas Butajevas.
The Philippine backcourt will also have its hands full against Puerto Rico’s promising floor general, Felipe Quinones.
On the other hand, China is grouped with defending world champion USA, France, and Guinea.
All 16 teams participating in the event will advance to the competition’s Final Phase with a single-elimination format in place from the Round of 16 onwards.
Teams from Group A will face teams from Group B, based on standings within these groups (1st vs 4th – 2nd vs 3rd), and teams from Group C will face teams from Group D.
