Consisting of young talented players, Gilas still assured to give their all-around efforts against daunting powerhouse teams for this upcoming 39th William Jones Cup.
In a send-off press launch on Wednesday at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Pasig City, the national team bound for Chinese Taipei this weekend promised to play with their hearts out and carry the hopes of all the Filipinos against Jones Cup opponents.
The National team is set to participate in the nearing 39th William Jones Cup and face formidable opponents like Chinese Taipei, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Iraq, India at Iran.
The said tournament will start from July 15 to 23.
According to Gilas team manager Butch Antonio, Jones Cup is a preparatory tournament for them as they will face bigger and tougher battles in two other major tournaments, named Southeast Asian Games and the Fiba Asia Cup, in the near future.
“Coach Chot (Reyes) put it so well. This is a preparatory competition but like any other endeavor that Gilas participates in, there’s only one objective and that objective is to win,,” Antonio cleared.
“These guys are here not because they were forced to be here. Being here is already 50% of the battle. It’s already 50% of the battle we’ve won just because of them showing up,” he added.
The national team is composed of Kobe Paras, Rayray Parks Jr., Kiefer Ravena, Carl Bryan Cruz, Fonso Gotladera, Kevin Ferrer, Christian Standhardinger, Roger Pogoy, Ed Daquioag, Mike Tolomia, Almond Vosotros, Raymar Jose, Mac Belo, Von Pessumal, Matthew Wright, import Mike Myers and Jio Jalalon, even though he was not present in the send-off press launch.
The stage is set for them to defend the country’s championship, which was won last year by the Mighty Sports. | Tretch Melarpes – PTV
