Young Gilas stalwarts ‘ready’ for next FIBA window, says Uichico

After an impressive showing by the young Gilas Pilipinas squad, national team head coach Jong Uichico already has his sights set on the next FIBA Asia Cup qualifier, where the Philippines will take on much stronger opponents in the likes of South Korea and Indonesia.

Although the young pool – bannered by Gilas cadets and collegiate standouts – impressed in the second window in Manama, Bahrain last November, the Philippines could change its lineup and add reinforcements from the PBA, whose players have more experience playing internationally. 

Uichico, however, believes some of his young Gilas players are already up for the challenge and ready to compete in the upcoming February window.

“Lahat sila very impressive, but of course you have two ways of thinking that eh, yung ready today and maybe ready tomorrow. So kailangan balansehin mo yun eh,” said Uichico in a recent episode of the 2OT vodcast.

(They are all very impressive, but of course you have two ways of thinking that – the ones ready today and the ones maybe ready tomorrow. You have to balance that out.)

“May mga ready today, Juan Gomez de Liaño, Dwight Ramos, Matt Nieto,” he added.

(The ones ready today are Juan Gomez de Liaño, Dwight Ramos and Matt Nieto.)

Prior to the second window, Gomez de Liaño, Ramos, and Nieto have already suited up in the first window of the qualifiers in February, alongside PBA stars Kiefer Ravena, CJ Perez, RR Pogoy, Poy Erram, Troy Rosario, Justin Chua, and Abu Tratter.

The 3 players were instrumental in Gilas Pilipinas’ second window campaign as they provided experience, leadership and scoring for the young Gilas squad.

In the two games against Thailand, Ramos led the team in scoring, averaging 16.5 points per contest. Ramos topscored for Gilas in their first outing, where he dropped 20 points on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting to go with 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. 

Gomez de Liaño, on the other hand, averaged 13 points in two outings, and displayed his tremendous scoring ability, hitting big shots when the team needed it the most.

Nieto, meanwhile, served as the steady floor general of the team as he averaged 4 assists in two games, and most importantly, provided the much-needed leadership inside the court. 

Uichico also noted that big men Justine Baltazar, Kemark Cariño, Isaac Go, and Calvin Oftana might be ready for the upcoming window due to their size and length.

“You also have to consider who can be ready tomorrow. For example, Justine Baltazar, Kemark Cariño, maybe Isaac Go just because of size, and Calvin Oftana just because they have size, length and maybe they might be ready for tomorrow,” said Uichico. 

The multi-titled PBA coach Uichico, though, made it clear that the coaching staff still has to sit down and decide on the final roster for next year’s window. – Rappler.com