E-Gilas Pilipinas is all set to compete in the much bigger FIBA Esports Open III this coming April 16 to 18.
The Philippines will once again be represented by the Playbook Esports core of Angelico “Shintauro” Cruzin, Arnie “ElChapo” Sison, “Clark” Banzon, Custer “Aguila” Galas, Philippe “Izzo” Herrero, and “Rial” Polog Jr.
Ian Santiago has been added to the team as well.
The team’s head coach is Nite Alparas with Richard Brojan as their team manager and Butch Antonio as the SBP’s Program Director.
This time around, there will be six teams in the Southeast Asia Conference with Vietnam, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Mongolia joining the Philippines and Indonesia.
“Esports has proven to be another area where our Filipino athletes can be world-class. Our E-Gilas team will once again represent the country and we’ll do everything we can to support them,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio.
“It is a much bigger tournament this time with the first edition having only 17 teams and the last one growing to 38 teams. Now there will be 60 teams competing, which just shows how quickly the game is evolving.”
E-Gilas will be taking on Vietnam and Maldives on April 16 in the group stage with the top two of each group moving forward to the semifinals on the 17th and then the finals of the 18th, both in a best-of-three.
This time around, E-Gilas will be eyeing redemption as it lost the second edition of the tournament last November after topping the inaugural tournament also last year.
“I hope our Filipino basketball and Esports fans come out in support of our E-Gilas squad because they’ve been preparing hard for this tournament,” added Panlilio.
“Our team is eager to prove that we’re the best in the region and I’m sure they’ll make us proud.”
