Gilas shooting for crown

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Gilas Pilipinas may be using the Jones Cup Invitational to prepare for bigger tournaments ahead. But make no mistake about it, the Filipinos will be going to Chinese Taipei seeking nothing less than the championship.

“Just like any tournament, our goal will be to win [the title],” amateur standout Kiefer Ravena said on Wednesday during the team’s sendoff at Bar One Restaurant of Holiday Inn in Ortigas. “The Jones Cup is just one step [for us] moving forward.”

Team Philippines plays nine games in as many days starting with its clash against a Canadian club team on Saturday as Gilas tries to win it again for the first time since LA Tenorio emerged MVP in 2013.

The Philippines won this title last year with an import-laden team led by former NBA All-Rookie Team member Al Thornton.

Gilas will also seek to retain the Southeast Asian Games gold medal starting August 20 in Kuala Lumpur and will play in the Fiba Asia Championship just days before that in Beirut in Lebanon as it tries to improve on second place finishes in the last two editions.

The Jones Cup team will be practically the same squad that will play in those two tournaments with the PBA set on lending its biggest stars only in the World Cup Qualifying process that starts in November.

“[That’s why] it’s nice to get momentum going to the bigger tournaments,” Ravena, a former UAAP MVP who is entertaining thoughts of making the jump to the pros in the coming Draft, added. “This will really count for Gilas.”

Mike Myers will play as the import in the Jones Cup as the Gilas Cadets led by RR Pogoy, Jio Jalalon and Matthew Wright get their international baptism of fire, with the tournament definitely to prove tougher than the Seaba, which the Filipinos ruled with ease two months ago.