MANILA – Kai Sotto has been cleared to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio announced on Tuesday that the seven-foot-three beanpole would play for Gilas after Sotto’s camp and the federation’s medical team reached an agreement.

“The doctors of Kai and the SBP doctor, Dr. Randy Molo, spoke yesterday, and he’s been cleared to play. That’s good news,” Panlilio said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Meralco Gym in Pasig.

He then said the doctors decided to meet instead of asking for a magnetic resonance image (MRI) of Sotto’s back injury, which he suffered during the NBA Summer League for the Orlando Magic.

The MRI result was reportedly a prerequisite for the SBP for Sotto to play.

“We didn’t see any MRI results. What we wanted to do to put closure, really move forward, and just focus on the games, is really our doctors met,” Panlilio added

The next step now, he said, is to make Sotto available for Gilas’ upcoming tune-up games against Ivory Coast, Montenegro and Mexico.

Gilas will play Ivory Coast on Friday, Montenegro on Sunday, and Mexico on Monday.

All games will be held behind closed doors at the nearby PhilSports Arena.

Sotto is expected to add ceiling to Gilas ahead of their FIBA World Cup opener against Karl-Anthony Towns and the Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue on Aug. 25.

According to FIBA World Cup local organizing committee officer Erika Dy, about 28,000 tickets have already been sold for the game.

She also said they are on track to eclipsing the single-game record for a FIBA World Cup gate attendance of 32,616 set in the 1994 FIBA World Cup final in Toronto. (PNA)

Gilas Pilipinas women’s team (OneSports photo courtesy)

The Philippine women’s basketball squad wrapped up their participation in the Jones Cup with an unfortunate 88-95 loss to Japan’s Chanson V Magic on Wednesday, August 9th, at the Heping Basketball Gymnasium in Taipei, Taiwan.

With a final record of 1-4, the Gilas women secured the fifth spot out of the six teams that competed in the tournament.

During the course of the competition, the Philippines secured their sole victory by triumphing over Iran with a score of 64-60 on the tournament’s second day.

Under the guidance of coach Patrick Aquino, the team suffered defeats against Taiwan’s senior team (85-89), junior team (83-94), and Korea’s Busan BNK (59-65).

In contrast, Chanson dominated the tournament with an unblemished 5-0 record, securing the championship title.

Leading the charge for Gilas was Jack Animam, who contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Veteran scorer Janine Pontejos showcased her skills with an impressive 20-point performance for Gilas, although the team stumbled in the final quarter after holding a 69-65 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Takano Hashikota led Chanson’s charge with an impressive 32-point display, fueled by eight successful three-pointers.

Koike Haruke displayed an all-around performance with 14 points, 12 assists, and seven rebounds for the triumphant Chanson team. (ai/mnm)

Coach Chot Reyes (FIBA photo)

Chot Reyes attributes the victory of Gilas Pilipinas against Senegal to their steadfast and disciplined defensive strategy.

The team’s dedication to solid defense translated into offensive opportunities, as such Gilas Pilipinas sailed past Senegal, 75-63, in their recent outing in the 2023 Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament in Guangdong, China.

Reyes emphasized that their focus on enhancing defensive capabilities was evident throughout their preparations, even in the face of a halftime deficit.

Holding Senegal to only 39 points in the first half was a testament to their defensive prowess, enabling them to remain competitive.

Despite a size disadvantage, the Filipino team adhered to their defensive plans consistently, allowing them to stay in close proximity to Senegal.

Ray Parks’ impressive performance ignited a critical 18-3 surge in the final period, that keyed Gilas Pilipinas to its 75-63 victory.

Reyes acknowledged that their defensive tenacity played a pivotal role, especially during moments when their offense encountered challenges.

As the 60-year-old Gilas coach explained, their ability to maintain strong defensive play throughout the game enabled them to secure opportunities on the offensive end. This patience and resilience ultimately paid off, leading to crucial points in the fourth quarter that facilitated their success.

Looking ahead, Gilas Pilipinas aims to conclude their China trip on a positive note, as they prepare to face Iran B team once again on Monday night. (ai/mnm)

Gilas Pilipinas (GMA News photo courtesy)  

Gilas Pilipinas went down fighting against a physically imposing Senegal team, 63-72, Friday night at the Jiangman En Ping Sports gymnasium in the 2023 Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament,

The game witnessed a back-and-forth battle in the first half, with Gilas briefly taking a 45-40 lead early in the third quarter. However, Senegal responded with a dominant 10-0 run, regaining control and heading into the final quarter with a score of 56-53.

Gilas’ young big man, AJ Edu, initiated a promising start in the final period by scoring consecutive baskets, granting his team a momentary lead of 57-56. Unfortunately, this would be the last highlight for the Philippine team.

Senegal, the bronze medalist of the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket, utilized the clever playmaking skills of Brancou Badio and the formidable presence of their frontline to execute a decisive 14-4 surge, dampening the Philippines’ spirit.

Senegal continued its strong performance in the China pocket tournament, securing a second consecutive victory following a previous win against Iran B with a score of 85-75 on Wednesday.

Notably, Gilas also secured a triumph against Iran, defeating them 76-65 on Thursday.

As Gilas Pilipinas takes a break on Saturday, they are set to face Senegal once again the next day, aiming for a different outcome.

Consistent communication with Jordan Clarkson

In a separate development, Gilas coach Chot Reyes affirmed that he has been maintaining “constant communication” with Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson, who is poised to serve as the naturalized player for the Philippines.

Reyes revealed, “We have been in consistent communication, engaging in ongoing discussions.” He further disclosed this during his appearance on former PBA commissioner Noli Eala’s Power and Play sports program on Saturday.

The outspoken coach also shared that the NBA star, aged 31, has reassured him about his fitness level, stating that “he’s in good shape.” Reyes added, “Our conversations have encompassed offensive strategies, conceptual approaches, and team plans. Jordan has assured me that he’s actively working out and refining his skills.” (ai/mnm)

A post-game huddle of Gilas (DBP photo)

Gilas Pilipinas effortlessly secured a victory against Iran in a basketball face-off at the Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament held in China on Thursday.

Powered by the impressive performances of Jaime Malonzo and Dwight Ramos, the Philippine national team triumphed with a final score of 76-65 against the Iranian opponents.

Malonzo contributed 11 points along with six rebounds, while Ramos and Calvin Oftana each chipped in with 10 points. EJ Edu came close to achieving a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds, while Roger Pogoy and Rhenz Abando both contributed eight points. Amir Hosein Yazarlou led the Iranian squad with eight points.

The national team, which traveled to China for vital preparations ahead of the FIBA World Cup, is set to face Senegal in their upcoming match on Friday.

This victory holds significance for the national team, especially as they competed in Guangdong without the presence of Kai Sotto. Notably absent from the lineup were NBA star Jordan Clarkson, as well as naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame.

Despite the win, Chot Reyes, the coach of Gilas Pilipinas, emphasized the urgent need for both the players and coaching staff to tackle the recurring problem of “slow starts” in their games on the heels of the team’s debacle at the hands of a tall Iranian squad.

“This challenge must be promptly addressed if the Philippine team intends to hold its ground against formidable opponents in the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup,” Reyes said.

The Philippines is set to co-host the FIBA tournament with Japan and Indonesia starting August 25.

Characterized by tentative offensive plays and a slight lag in defensive reactions, Gilas Pilipinas found themselves trailing by five points midway through the opening quarter in their recent match against Iran’s B team which amassed 23 points against Gilas’ defense.

However, the Filipino team managed to regain their composure offensively and fortify their defense during the subsequent second and third quarters, allowing them to establish a lead.

In the final period, Iran staged a comeback, resulting in a final score of 65-76 that brought some respectability to the loss.

Reyes commented on the team’s performance, stating, “Our start was unfavorable, and the conclusion was disappointing. I observed that we displayed commendable gameplay during the second and third quarters, which was the middle phase of the match. Yet, we must enhance our game’s beginnings and closures.”

Despite noteworthy contributions from players like Jamie Malonzo, who topped the team with 11 points and six rebounds; Dwight Ramos and Calvin Oftana, each contributing 10 points; and young center AJ Edu, who delivered nine points and the same number of rebounds, Reyes couldn’t hide his sense of “disappointment.”

Reyes further elaborated, “The conclusion of the match left me greatly dissatisfied.” He pinpointed Iran’s 14-3 surge in the final quarter as the turning point, which reduced Gilas’ once formidable 22-point lead to a mere 11 points with three minutes remaining.

The candid Gilas coach emphasized that the team must swiftly extract lessons from this experience, as they cannot afford to replicate the same level of performance when they face Senegal, a larger and more athletic opponent, on Friday night at 8 p.m.

“Senegal possesses an impressive combination of size, strength, and height,” Reyes remarked. “Consequently, facing them will be an immense test for us. To prepare for the upcoming game, I chose to rest some of my players during the fourth quarter.”
(ai/mnm)

Justin Brownlee goes up for a twinner in this bit of action (GMA Network photo courtesy) 

Gilas Pilipinas suffered a setback in a tune-up game against Lithuania, falling to their opponents with a final score of 90-80 in Kausas, Lithuania. Despite a slow start, the Philippine team displayed resilience throughout the match.

During the opening period, Gilas struggled defensively, allowing Lithuania to score 36 points and establish a 17-point lead. Lithuanian forward Tomas Zdanavicius proved to be a significant challenge for Gilas, showcasing his accuracy from beyond the arc by making all six of his three-point attempts in the first half, amassing a total of 20 points.

At halftime, the Lithuania Selection squad held a 56-45 advantage. Throughout the game, Gilas faced difficulties with their shooting, while Lithuania capitalized on their outside shooting, hitting 12 three-pointers. Gilas had a field goal percentage of just 39.7% and were outrebounded 46-39. Lithuanian League Most Valuable Player Vytautas Šulskis contributed 19 points and nine rebounds to the Lithuanian team’s performance.

Zdanavicius led the Lithuanian Selection with 25 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Justinas Ramanauskas nearly achieved a double-double with 12 points, nine assists, and three rebounds. Rokas Pocius added 10 points and nine rebounds for the host team, which had only eight players available.

Gilas’ top performers were naturalized player Justin Brownlee with 20 points and seven rebounds, Jamie Malonzo with 14 points and nine rebounds, and June Mar Fajardo and Kiefer Ravena contributing 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Ange Kouame made his return to the Gilas lineup after attending his college graduation from Ateneo on June 30. He played just over six minutes and scored four points in the game.

(ai/mnm)