Batang Gilas stays focused in Fiba Asia bid amid big expectations
Josh Reyes will fly to Thailand taking not just a stacked Batang Gilas lineup with him, but also the hype that comes with the team.
With the likes of Kai Sotto, AJ Edu, Dave Ildefonso, and Dalph Panopio leading the 12-man lineup, Reyes knows he has a big responsibility ahead of him in the Fiba U18 Asian Championship in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
Sotto and Edu alone, who are listed at 7-foot-2 and 6-foot-11, are enough to draw the attention to Reyes’ team.
“There are really big expectations for the team and pressure comes along with that,” said Reyes during the team’s send-off Thursday at Crowne Plaza. “The thing is, we all know this as Filipinos, just because you are the biggest team or the tallest team, doesn’t mean you will be the best team out there.”
With the twin towers headlining the frontcourt, Batang Gilas is the third tallest team in the tournament with an average height of 6-foot-4.
China, Iran, and New Zealand are the only countries whose players have a taller average height than the Filipinos.
The Chinese team has an average height of 6-foot-6 while Iran and New Zealand are at 6-foot-5.
“Size is just one of the advantages you have in the basketball game, but how you use the size and play well with it is the key,” said Reyes. “The pressure is how we play together, how we perform there, and how we play as a team.”
Reyes, though, doesn’t want to burden his young team with any additional pressure and he just wants his group to lay it all on the line once the games begin on August 5.
“We just go about our business and prepare the right way,” said Reyes. “Just by giving your full commitment and your time and your focus to this team, be there for each other.”
“As young as this team is, we try to be self-motivated because we’re playing for a cause that’s bigger than us.”
Batang Gilas is set to fly to Thailand on Friday at 2 pm.
