Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes careworn there are not any shoo-ins for the nationwide group’s roster for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, together with the three naturalized gamers within the pool.
Currently, the nationals have quite a lot of naturalized cagers in NBA participant Jordan Clarkson, former Ateneo standout Ange Kouame, and Ginebra sniper Justin Brownlee. But the Philippines can solely subject one in every of them come the world-level match that the Philippines will co-host alongside Japan and Indonesia.
Reyes mentioned there is not any positive factor so far as the roster is worried.
“With Justin’s performance, you see how effective Justin is and how well he played. Justin has always made himself available for whatever is required by the team. He’s willing to play the role,” Chot mentioned of Brownlee who led the Philippines within the sixth window of the qualifiers.
“Having said that, there are no shoo-ins in the team and that goes for everyone. That goes for all the local players and all the naturalized players.”
Kouame had performed in three video games within the Asian Qualifiers, averaging 4.3 factors and 5.3 rebounds. He additionally performed in the course of the nation’s marketing campaign within the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, however missed out on the Asia Cup correct attributable to an damage.
Clarkson, then again, joined GIlas in the course of the earlier World Cup Qualifiers window in opposition to Lebanon and Saudi Arabia the place the Filipino-American guard posted 25 factors, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists.
Reyes added that they may additionally go for one more naturalized huge man outdoors of the three as Kai Sotto’s availability stays unsure at this level.
“Because we have another naturalized player, Ange Kouame and we’re not ruling out the possibility of even going out and looking for another 6-foot-10, 6-foot-11 guy with all the uncertainty surrounding the Kai Sotto situation,” the seasoned tactician mentioned.
“That’s just part of our planning.”
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
