Gilas Pilipinas boys’ Andy Gemao out of Fiba U18 Asia Cup

FILE–Gilas Pilipinas’ Andy Gemao during a game against Indonesia in the Seaba qualifiers in Malaysia.–Photo from Malaysia Basketball Association

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas boys will miss star Andy Gemao in their Fiba U18 Asia Cup campaign starting on Monday evening (Manila time) in Amman, Jordan.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) on Sunday revealed that the former NCAA juniors Finals MVP from Letran will miss the campaign due to a third metacarpal bone fracture he sustained in a tuneup game against Iran.

“It’s an unfortunate situation. We do everything in our power to keep our players healthy,” said Gilas Youth team manager Dean Castaño. “But it’s a physical sport and these things happen. We wish Andy Gemao a quick and complete recovery and we’ll be here for him during this difficult time.”

READ: Andy Gemao, Gilas Boys gun for FibaU19 World Cup berth

Gemao’s presence will be missed as he powered the national youth team in the final game of the SEABA Qualifiers with  29 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists to Indonesia, 87-64, and qualify for the Asia Cup.

Without Gemao, coach Josh Reyes banks on Marc Daniel Burgos, Nicolash Lorenzo, John Earl Medina, Wilhalm Cabonilas, Charles Esteban, Kurl Figueroa and Joaquin Ludovice, Allen Perez, Carl Manding, Jericho Santos, and Mark Esperanza under coach Josh Reyes.

Gilas Boys open their Group D campaign against Indonesia at 9:30 p.m. (Manila time).

READ: Fiba U18 Asia Cup-bound Gilas Pilipinas Boys sweep Seaba qualifiers

The Nationals battle host Jordan on September 4 and New Zealand on September 6. Gilas needs to top its group for an outright quarterfinal berth. The No.2 and 3 teams will have to fight in the playoffs for the four remaining slots in the Top 8.

The semifinalists will qualify for the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland next year. 

Gilas U16 team, which lost star Kieffer Alas due to a knee injury, competed in the FIBA U17 World Cup held in Turkey last July.