Gilas Pilipinas’ preparations for the FIBA World Cup are once again hindered by injuries, this time affecting TNT’s seasoned center, John Paul “Poy” Erram, who is grappling with an arthritic knee.

According to Gilas’ physical therapist, Dexter Aseron, the 6-foot-8 Erram is under the care of Dr. Marc Castro, a respected Filipino orthopedic surgeon from the Makati Medical Center.

The persistent issue with Erram’s knee has been identified as arthritis, and it has been a cause of concern for the player.

Aseron revealed that they have been carefully managing Erram’s condition, especially given his history of knee surgeries, which he underwent during his UAAP days as part of the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

“He’s had a number of previous surgeries on both knees dating back to college,” shared Aseron, who graduated from the University of Santo Tomas College of Rehabilitation Sciences and currently serves as both Gilas and TNT’s strength and conditioning coach.

While they await Dr. Castro’s final recommendation, they have not ruled out Erram’s participation in the final 12 of the Gilas roster.

The 34-year-old player is presently focused on knee strengthening, and his availability for selection will depend on how he responds to the treatment in the coming days.

Despite this setback, the team remains hopeful that Erram will recover in time to contribute to Gilas Pilipinas’ endeavors.

(ai/mnm)

As the 29-year-old FIBA Basketball World Cup attendance record beckons to be shattered, and the renowned Philippine Arena aims to add another milestone to its illustrious history, Gilas Pilipinas is ready to take center stage.

The team will proudly step onto the grand stage of the 55,000-capacity Philippine Arena on August 25, followed by the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum on August 27 and 29, with a singular focus – to defend its homecourt at any cost.

Rivals from distant lands will be converging upon the Philippines – Dominican Republic from the Caribbean, Angola from Africa, and Italy from fabulous Europe.

Placed in Group A, the Philippines faces the task of conquering at least two of these formidable opponents to secure their spot in the second round of the Group Stage. In the next phase, the top two teams from Group B, comprising South Sudan, Serbia, China, and Puerto Rico, eagerly await.

The anticipation for the tournament is soaring, with fans eager to witness history unfold.

The host nation has a singular chance to surpass the previous spectator record of 32,616, set during the 1994 FIBA World Cup championship between the United States Dream Team II and Russia.

The Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, will be the battleground where this epic attempt at breaking the record will take place.

The colossal Philippine Arena holds a standing gate record of 54,589 for a sporting event, established during Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals last January, making it an ideal venue for the upcoming basketball extravaganza.

On August 25, all eyes will be on the Philippine Arena, with the possibility of a local inter-agency task force declaring it a special public holiday to facilitate fans’ attendance.

While setting a new attendance record would be remarkable, the ultimate triumph for Gilas Pilipinas would be securing a victory over the formidable Dominican Republic, ranked 23rd in the world, with the support of a roaring hometown crowd. Such a win would infuse the team with invaluable momentum for their subsequent matches at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

In the subsequent matches at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the iconic Sixth Man, the passionate Filipino basketball fans, will once again play a crucial role as Gilas Pilipinas faces Angola, ranked 41st, and Italy, ranked 10th in the FIBA standings. The support of the home crowd could provide the necessary fortitude for the team to excel, especially during challenging moments.

With its rich history, the Smart Araneta Coliseum has witnessed legendary sporting events, including the unforgettable “Thrilla in Manila” between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975, and the 1978 FIBA World Championship. The atmosphere inside the packed arena has the potential to ignite the team’s performance and intimidate their opponents.

In previous editions of the FIBA World Cup, Gilas Pilipinas faced daunting challenges without the support of their home crowd and fell short in some closely contested games. However, this time, with the advantage of playing on home soil, the narrative could be different.

The fervent Filipino fans, armed with foam fingers, balloon sticks, placards, and posters, are ready to rally behind their national team. The desire for payback and the determination to protect their own turf will serve as powerful incentives and motivations for Gilas Pilipinas.

As the record crowd chants resound in both the Philippine Arena and the Smart Araneta Coliseum, one thing is clear: the team is determined to make a bold statement – NOT IN OUR TURF!

(ai/mnm)

In the lead-up to the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes has been forthright in expressing the team’s objective — to emerge as the top Asian team. Such an achievement would secure a coveted spot in the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Gilas Pilipinas finds itself grouped with the Dominican Republic (ranked 23rd in the world), Angola (41st), and Italy (ranked 10th) in Group A during the opening round.

Meanwhile, China, a 16-time Asian champion, is placed in Group B alongside sixth-ranked Serbia, Puerto Rico (ranked 20th), and South Sudan (ranked 62nd).

Following the group stage, the top two teams from each group will advance to the second group phase, while the bottom two teams will enter the classification phase.

Gilas faces challenges, including injury concerns and the absence of key players like Kai Sotto and NBA star Jordan Clarkson from team practice. With just a month left, the team is striving to develop a cohesive unit that can secure crucial victories during the group stage.

Before the FIBA World Cup, the Philippine team is scheduled to participate in a pocket tournament in Guangdong, China, where they will compete against Iran, Lebanon, and Senegal.

Additionally, they recently completed a 16-day Europe training camp, playing tuneup matches against Estonia, Finland, Ukraine’s under-20 team, and two Lithuanian squads, ending with a 3-3 record in those matches.

Reyes also confirmed that Gilas will have a friendly match against Mexico, just one week before their FIBA World Cup debut against the Dominican Republic on August 25th at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

The stage is set for an intense battle as Gilas Pilipinas aims to seize the lone Olympic slot and potentially collide with powerhouse China in the process.

(ai/mnm)

In an uplifting development, Dwight Ramos, known for his exceptional shooting skills, has been given the green light to join Gilas Pilipinas after recovering from his leg injury.

The 24-year-old Filipino-American wingman made his presence felt during Friday’s practice session at the Meralco gym, bringing positive news to the Gilas Pilipinas team.

According to Dexter Aseron, the team therapist for Gilas, Ramos is in good shape and has been actively participating in practice since Thursday. “All good with Dwight, he’s been practicing already since yesterday (Thursday),” Aseron shared with the Manila Times.

Ramos was unable to take part in the team’s sixth and final tune-up game during their recent training camp in Europe due to his injury. (AI/MNM)