Gilas Pilipinas head coach Mark Dickel revealed that the PBA players are shoo-ins to the team that will play Indonesia in the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers’ first window this Sunday.
The pros in the current pool are Kiefer Ravena, Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Poy Erram, Justin Chua, CJ Perez, Javee Mocon, and Abu Tratter — all of whom have been practicing consistently.
Chua, Mocon, and Tratter all came in as replacements following the withdrawal of veteran internationalists Christian Standhardinger and Japeth Aguilar, as well as Mac Belo.
“Well, I think you could name who the shoo-ins will be. You bet the players we have in… The PBA are gonna play,” said Dickel moments after Wednesday’s practice at the Meralco Gym.
Dickel said that the team will be a mixture of youth and experience, so the remaining slots will go to the players whom he and the coaches deem will compliment with the pros.
“We need experience, but we also want to give the young guys a go,” said the Kiwi bench tactician.
“It’s really talking about who the other guys are we gonna put to compliment it.”
Gilas is approaching the tail-end of its preparations for Sunday’s game, which takes place in Mahaka Arena in Jakarta.
The Filipino dribblers’ clash with the Indonesians will push through after it was in danger of postponement due to the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
But FIBA has recommended the Indonesia Basketball Association (PERBASI) to continue its hosting of the Qualifiers since no cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the country.
