Yeng Guiao has said it numerous times: Gilas is not taking Kazakhstan lightly.
Currently, Gilas Pilipinas and Japan’s Akatsuki Five are in a heated race for the third spot and an outright berth in the FIBA World Cup. The Philippines is currently ahead of Japan in Group F, 5-3 to 4-4.
But on Friday, Gilas will take on Kazakhstan, a squad that sports a 3-5 record. And many see it as the best chance for Guiao to field 23 for 2023 cadets Kai Sotto and/or Ricci Rivero.
But neither are a guarantee.
“They’re not totally out. There’s two or three slots left,” disclosed Guiao, who will unveil the final lineup for the Kazakhstan game on Wednesday.
“They’re still… We don’t want to totally say na wala na, ‘di na kasali yung dalawa o ‘di na sila kino-consider for the final twelve. But meron ding school of thought na why not include one or either.”
Rivero, a 6-foot-1 guard who is just 20 years young, has been attending the practices religiously. On the other hand, Sotto, a 7-foot-1, 16-year-old, still has to balance his academics at the Ateneo High School, his duties to the Blue Eaglets, and Gilas – making him miss the majority of the sessions.
But even just sitting on the sidelines with the members of Gilas’ Elite squad would bring invaluable experience to the two young studs.
“Kasi kung nasa twelfth slot siya, baka hindi naman ganoon ka-urgent yung need for the twelfth man. But at the same time, you’re giving them the experience to broaden their horizons.
“There is that thought, but doon sa mga discussion namin, hindi pa siya ganun ka-timbang. It does not really have much weight than getting twelve people we can use talaga. That’s being considered, but siguro maliit na chance. We don’t dwell on it that much. But there’s a school of thought that discussed kung sino ba ang twelfth man natin,” added Guiao.
Whatever happens, Guiao and his staff stand firm that the two cadets have showed that they can keep up with the big boys.
“They’ve been very impressed with the two guys, they’ve been consistent in attending practice. Hindi naman umaabsent yun kung hindi urgent. Si Kai, basta academics, yun ang mauuna.”
