The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas reported to the Philippine Senate how it would have an unprecedented buildup for Gilas Pilipinas heading into the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
From May to August, the team will be training non-stop across two continents.
In June, Gilas will figure in a European camp that will also have multiple tune-up games against national teams.
The national team will then head to the States a month later.
Once they arrive in early August, the SBP will host the MVP Cup for Basketball — a pocket tournament that will have at least eight participating nations from August 8-14, 2023. It will also serve as a test event for the World Cup, which takes place from August 25-September 10.
But who will be the pool?
Well, SBP president Al Panlilio unveiled a projected pool to the senate.
Headlining the 25-man pool are Jordan Clarkson, Kai Sotto, and Dwight Ramos.
Joining them are Kiefer Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Thirdy Ravena, Carl Tamayo, Kevin Quiambao, Roosevelt Adams, and Geo Chiu.
Also part of the pool are PBA players Japeth Aguilar, June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, Chris Newsome, Jamie Malonzo, Calvin Oftana, Troy Rosario, Roger Pogoy, CJ Perez, and JP Erram.
Photo from FIBA.basketball
Angelo Kouame will also join the team’s training while the SBP is crossing its fingers that Justin Brownlee’s and Cameron Oliver’s naturalization will be done by then.
Surprises in the pool are AJ Edu and Jordan Heading.
Edu is currently in his final year in Toledo. He last appeared for Gilas back in the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup.
Photo from FIBA Asia Cup
Heading, meanwhile, had a controversial exit from his Gilas contract last year. After a year in Taichung, he signed with B.League team Nagasaki Velca.
This is still the projected pool as a lot of things can still happen. The final 25-man pool will be announced on May 22 while the final 12 will be unveiled prior to the MVP Cup.
