The first step to the World Cup in China will be taken Friday when Gilas Pilipinas 5.0 flies out to Chinese Taipei for the 39th edition of the Jones Cup Invitational.
Coach Chot Reyes will take with him a very young team that will be the face of Team Philippines in the future.
Members of the Gilas Cadet program, a hardy bunch of professional rookies now enjoying the good life, will don the country’s tri-colors in the multination event that the Philippines will try to win for the sixth time.
RR Pogoy, Jio Jalalon and Matthew Wright will play their second straight international tournament together with amateur stars Kiefer Ravena, Fil-German Christian Standhardinger and Kobe Paras.
The trio first played with PBA superstars in the Southeast Asia Basketball Association tournament that Gilas ruled with ease two months ago.
The Jones Cup will be the first full event of Paras, the high-leaping son of PBA legend Benjie seen by many as one who could dominate the pro league in the future.
“Kiefer, Kobe and Christian will have no problems adjusting to the PBA [brand of play],” Reyes told the Inquirer on Thursday via text message.
Gilas will be using the Jones Cup to get the momentum it needs for two more events before playing in the World Cup Qualifying proper starting November.
The Filipinos, with import Mike Myers, open up against a club team from Canada at 3 p.m. on Saturday, the first of their nine straight games.
They wind up against Iran on July 23—the likely title match.
Last year, with an import-laden team led by NBA veteran Al Thornton, the Philippines won the Jones Cup via a sweep.
Gilas last won the event in 2013, when Reyes became the first Filipino coach to triumph.
Reyes will fly to Taipei from the US where he attended to some business matters.
Mac Belo, Carl Bryan Cruz, Ed Daquioag, Kevin Ferrer, Fonzo Gotladera, Raymar Jose, Bobby Ray Parks, Von Pessumal, Mike Tolomia and Almond Vosotros are the other members of the team.