Gilas cadet five leaves for Iran tilt

Photo from Stankovic SEABA Cup website https://sport.mthai.com/stankovic/.

A GILAS Pilipinas crew made up of former collegiate stars now playing for different PBA D-League teams leaves for Tehran, Iran, Tuesday to take part in the Fiba Asia Challenge Cup.

Josh Reyes, in his biggest head coaching stint, calls the shots for the Filipinos in the tournament where the Philippines will be shooting to finish in at least the top five.

Former Far Eastern University stars Mike Tolomia, Mac Belo and Russel Escoto, ex-Santo Tomas aces Kevin Ferrer and Ed Daquioag and former La Salle center Arnold Van Opstal form the core of the national squad.

The Filipinos, who are scheduled to depart on an Emirates flight at 11:45 p.m. today, will be clashing with national sides that have been together for a while.

The leadership of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas will use the tournament as a basis for the composition of the next Gilas Pilipinas squad.

A finish no lower than fifth will give Gilas an option not to play in the Southeast Asia Basketball Association (Seaba) tournament, where they could prequalify for the continental series of the Fiba.