A pair of young guns are embracing local basketball and expressed readiness to go all out when Gilas Pilipinas competes in major international tournaments.

Mason Amos and Schonny Winston welcomed the challenges that will be thrown their way, starting with the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers that the country will host at the Philippine Arena this month.

The 18-year-old Amos, for one, is determined to land a spot in the final roster, saying that he will do everything to shine in a pool composed of some of the best and most talented basketball players in the country like six-time Philippine Basketball Association Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo and reigning MVP Scottie Thompson.

He is set to play for Ateneo de Manila University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines this September, giving him a chance to learn at the feet of former Gilas Pilipinas mentor Tab Baldwin.

"My dad is a Filipino," the Filipino-Australian Amos told Daily Tribune.

"He's the one who taught me how to play basketball. But I started following Philippine basketball when I was 12 and I was watching the UAAP and the PBA. I always follow Ginebra and San Miguel. They're always in the finals."

"But I always wanted to play in the UAAP, so I played for Batang Gilas, under-18 team, so the men's level is next for me."

He added that he likes the Filipinos' brand of basketball so adapting from the Australian to the local setting wasn't hard for him.

"Filipinos are more physical and they're a lot faster," the 6-foot-7 stretch forward said.

"But to be honest, IQ-wise, Filipinos can really play. Australians are bigger and taller, but Filipinos played with a bigger heart and that's how we win games."

Unlike Amos, Winston is already done playing college basketball.