Castro, Pingris like retooled Gilas

Two former Gilas Pilipinas stars Jayson Castro and Marc Pingris believe the current team is not just tall and hefty but quite versatile and athletic as well.

"Look at their guards, at least all of them are standing six feet, while all of us before — me, Jimmy Alapag and LA Tenorio — we're all standing below six feet," Castro said.

Aside from Jordan Clarkson, who is 6-5, other Gilas guards are Scottie Thompson , Kiefer Ravena and CJ Perez, all listed at least six feet and up.

Despite falling to Dominican Republic in the opener, Castro said the 2023 Gilas squad has what it takes to ramp up its game.

"The team has a lot of potential with young big men in AJ Edu and Kai Sotto and then we're seeing June Mar Fajardo playing in probably his best shape in years," said Castro.

Castro stressed that the presence of Roger Pogoy, a two-way player, and Dwight Ramos as well as aerial acrobats such as Jamie Malonzo, Japeth Aguilar and Rhenz Abando raises the overall value of the team.

But JuneMar Fajardo, outside of Clarkson, is Gilas' main man., according to Pingris.

"When he was playing for our team before, he was hardly being utilized because he was coming in as reliever of Marcus Douthit and then in the World Cup, we have another big man, Andray Blatche playing," added Pingris.

"Now, he's got a bigger role and he's proving it. He can guide the young big men like Edu and Sotto."