Batang Gilas off to Fiba Asia U18

Batang Gilas marched to the Fiba U18 Asian Championship, hoping to provide a ray of sunshine to a country that is licking the wounds created by the absence of its men’s basketball team in the 18th Asian Games.

The national youth team banners the flag in a bid to clinch a ticket to the 2019 Fiba U19 World Cup for the first time since 1979.

Led by twin towers Kai Sotto and AJ Edu, Batang Gilas likes its chance even against powerhouse China, Lebanon and United Arab Emirates in Group B of the Asian tourney set from 5 to 11 Aug. in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

“This time, we should treat Batang Gilas as our elite Gilas in lieu of participation in Asian Games basketball,” said Batang Gilas godfather Ronald Mascarinas during the team’s sendoff Thursday night.

“Batang Gilas has a great responsibility on its shoulders because we need to redeem the reputation of the country with the brawl that happened against Australia. Hopefully, we could heal the wounds of our grieving countrymen.”

This will be the first time a Filipino national team is competing in the international stage a month after the famous skirmish with Australia in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifier.

Few weeks later, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas withdrew Gilas Pilipinas from the Asian Games, leaving the juniors squad no choice but to make an impression against the continent’s best youth squads.

This batch of Batang Gilas is said to be the strongest and tallest youth team ever assembled with the 7-foot-1 Sotto and the 6-foot-10 Edu leading the charge.

Tasked to facilitate Batang Gilas is 6-foot-1 sensation Dalph Panopio, who opted to play for the Philippines despite being wooed by Italy.

Also joining are senior players Dave Ildefonso and Miguel Oczon of National University (NU) as well as Geo Chiu of Ateneo, Raven Cortez of La Salle, Rhayyan Amsali of San Beda, Bismarck Lina of University of Santo Tomas, Xyrus Torres and Joshua Ramirez and Gerry Abadiano of NU Bullpups.

With this strong roster, that has an average height of 6-foot-4, Batang Gilas is tipped to deliver.

“If you’re asking me if we can qualify to the World Cup? I think we have a chance,” said head coach Josh Reyes, adding that only the top four teams will get a chance to advance to the World Cup.

But Reyes is not keen on promising a concrete goal. He just vowed a strong fight from his wards against the Asian youth powerhouses.

“This is the biggest U18 team so there is really big expectation on it. The pressure comes with that,” he said.

“But we’ll try to finish the best finish we can. It’s tough to give a number but our goal is for these guys to compete and play to their full potential every game.”

Batang Gilas begins its group phase campaign against Lebanon on 5 Aug. followed by a tussle against United Arab Emirates on 6 Aug. and China on 7 Aug.