MVP wants Ateneo, SSC stars in Gilas 2

ATENEO and San Sebastian’s varsity stars top the wish list for the national team that Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas hopes to form for the 2013 Fiba Asia Championship.

The explosive San Sebastian duo of Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang and the Ateneo tandem of Kiefer Ravena and Greg Slaughter lead the amateur candidates being eyed for Smart Gilas Pilipinas 2, Samahang Basketbol Pilipinas (SBP) president Manny V. Pangilinan said on Wednesday night.

“We have to identify first the cadets—college and amateurs —who are the foundation, and then we’ll have the PBA players as reinforcements,” Pangilinan said in an interview with Sports Radio anchor Snow Badua.

Pangilinan also named Letran’s Kevin Alas, whom he described as “gutsy and possesses a high basketball IQ,” San Beda’s Garvo Lanete and 6-foot-10 Cebuano star June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer as candidates for the pool.

Just last month, SBP tapped Chot Reyes as the coach for the new Philippine team that will compete in the next Fiba Asia, which stakes three slots in the 2014 Fiba World Championship in Spain.

Reyes replaced Rajko Toroman, the Serbian mentor who steered the team to a fourth-place finish in the Fiba Asia Championship last year.

“There are many other players on my wish list and I think they’re almost the same as coach Chot’s,” said Pangilinan. “In the next few days or weeks, coach Chot will be able to release the composition of Smart Gilas 2.”

Pangilinan added that Powerade’s Gary David and Talk ’N Text forward Ranidel de Ocampo are among his pro picks.

“We would want Gary David,” said Pangilinan. “He’s good, skillful and a scorer.”

“We’re glad that the PBA is open to lending players,” said national team manager Butch Antonio. “At least the process will be easier. We’ll maximize whatever number they’ll give us.”