Robust Gilas for tougher Rio Olympics qualifier

Gilas Pilipinas. INQUIRER File Photo

Even with all the materials for a stronger Gilas Pilipinas five at its disposal, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas faces a treacherous ride to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

That’s because the world qualifier is several notches tougher than the recent Fiba Asia Championship, where the Philippines landed second to host China and missed landing the continent’s lone spot in the Olympics.

Countries expected to play in the three world qualifiers are basketball powerhouses France, Greece, Italy, Puerto Rico, Turkey and Serbia, among others.

And there’s another big hitch: Only the champions in the three tournaments will book tickets to the Olympics.

Pundits say Gilas—even with a capable coach in Tab Baldwin, plus Andray Blatche, and probably Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson teaming up with PBA aces—will have to be at its meanest best to snare one of the wild-card slots.

Nevertheless, SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan yesterday showed appreciation for the PBA’s commitment to lend 17 players to the national squad and gave the go-signal for the country’s participation in the qualifier, slated July 5 to 10 next year.

Made available to the Gilas pool are June Mar Fajardo, Ginebra’s Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar and LA Tenorio, Rain or Shine’s Paul Lee and Jeff Chan, Star’s Ian Sangalang, San Miguel Beer Marcio Lassiter, and Talk N Text’s Troy Rosario and Ryan Reyes. Also in the pool are holdovers Jason Castro, Marc Pingris, Ranidel de Ocampo, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Terrence Romeo, Calvin Abueva and Gabe Norwood.

“May God bless the Gilas team, and our country, for this 2016 wild card qualifying,” Pangilinan posted on his Twitter account @iamMVP.