BID FOR QUALIFICATION WORLD CUP ‘ 19
SPORT : BASKETBALL
Gilas looking to upset Boomers
BID FOR QUALIFICATION WORLD CUP ‘ 19
June Mar Fajardo
GILAS Pilipinas , a collection of the Philippines ’ best basketball players , is coming to Australia in a bid to qualify for the FIBA World Cup in 2019 .
By Marco Selorio
But first they need to face reigning FIBA Asia champions Australia at Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne on February 22 , 2018 .
In a David v Goliath match-up , the highly touted Australians are heavily favoured to outmuscle the smaller but speedier Filipinos .
The Filipinos have plenty of heart , however , and are looking to upset the muchfancied Boomers on their home soil .
Currently ranked 32nd in the world , Gilas is coached by the experienced Chot Reyes .
The squad consists of PBA superstars including reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo , ASEAN star Jayson Castro William , and naturalised former NBA player Andre Blatche .
Australia has a number of superstars playing in the NBA including Patty Mills ( San Antonio Spurs ), Dante Exum and Joe Ingles ( Utah Jazz ), Ben Simmons ( Philadelphia 76ers ) and Matthew Delladova ( Milwaukee Bucks ).
However , they are not expected to play because the NBA season is still in progress .
Instead , the Australians will rely on local NBL talent , which goes to show their depth .
The Philippines has been bracketed in Group B with the taller and more seasoned teams as the Boomers , Japan and Taipei . Gilas Pilipinas ’ roster lists June Mar Fajardo , Jayson Castro William , Matthew Wright , Calvin Abueva , Gabe Norwood , Japeth Aguilar , Keifer Ravena , Roger Pogoy , Greg Slaughter , Troy Rosario , Kevin Alas , Raymond Almazan , Andray Blatche , and Terrence Romeo . •
Jayson Castro William
SYDNEY KINGS coach Andrew Gaze , standing at right , with basketball-mad kids at Bankstown Basketball stadium .
Kings of the kids
SUPER CAMP DRAWS MORE THAN 200 ‘ TINY GUNS ’
THREE-TIME NBL basketball champions Sydney Kings conducted a ‘ Super Camp ’ on Wednesday , January 17 at Bankstown Basketball Stadium .
By MARCO ANDRE SELORIO
The entire Kings roster delivered a boot camp-style clinic that taught kids basic fundamentals and techniques to improve their overall game .
More than 250 aspiring basketball players aged between six and 16 years attended the free basketball clinic .
Among them were three-star struck cousins : brothers Ethan , 10 and Julian Selorio , 8 , from Hornsby and their cousin Jaylen Montano , 8 , from Prestons .
Not only did they get a souvenir T-shirt and a free three-hour basketball session , but they also learned from and rub shoulders with their favourite basketball stars .
“ I love the Kings ’ Jerome Randle and Jason Cadee because I can shoot three-pointers like them ,” said starryeyed Jaylen .
“ Coach Andrew Gaze signed my cap , and I got a high-five from Kevin Lisch ,” said young Julian .
Ethan chimed in : “ I love the Kings . They almost won last week . I want to be a King one day and help the team win a championship .”
The Kings continue to serve the greater basketball community despite their terrible season , currently placed at the bottom of the NBL ladder .
One thing is for sure , the three young cousins will continue to show their loyalty and appreciation to their team - win , lose or draw . •
SYDNEY KINGS point guard Jason Cadee with pinoz kids Julian , Ethan , and Jaylen at the basketball ‘ Super Camp ’.
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