In January 2018, Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes launched the “23 for 2023” checklist– a set of younger, up-and-coming cagers who have been checked out to signify the nation when the 2023 FIBA World Cup got here round in 5 years’ time.
Though it was not meant to be a ultimate checklist, it was on the time a glimpse into the potential way forward for Philippine basketball.
Now simply days away from the most important worldwide occasion in basketball, right here’s a glance again on that checklist and the way the gamers are doing right now.
All of these gamers on the checklist have been aged 24 and beneath through the time of the discharge. All of them have been amateurs, taking part in for both collegiate groups or in some instances, highschool squads. The oldest participant on the checklist was CJ Perez at 24 whereas Kai Sotto and Carl Tamayo have been the youngest at simply 16 years outdated.
While lots of them ended up representing Gilas sooner or later of their careers, solely six of them – Perez, Sotto, Tamayo, Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, and Thirdy Ravena – have been named to the precise pool for the 2023 World Cup in Manila.
12 of the gamers have or are presently taking part in professionally in abroad leagues such because the Japan B.League and the Korean KBL with some having expertise in Lithuania, Iceland, Australia, and New Zealand as properly. Several others are within the PBA whereas just one participant – Will Gozum – continues to be within the collegiate ranks.
(Robert Bolick. Photo: fiba.basketball)
Robert Bolick
THEN: San Beda Red Lions
NOW: Fukushima Firebonds (Japan)
Robert Bolick received three NCAA Philippines titles as a part of the San Beda Red Lions earlier than changing into a gradual presence for the NorthPort Batang Pier within the PBA since being drafted by the staff third general in 2018. Throughout his four-year tenure with NorthPort, the six-foot guard averaged 17.4 factors, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.5 rebounds per recreation.
Now, he might be taking his skills abroad after signing with a Japanese B.League Division 2 staff, the Fukushima Firebonds in May.
The 27-year-old has additionally represented the Philippines a number of occasions, together with within the 2019 FIBA World Cup, producing numbers of 8.6 factors, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 5 video games.
However, regardless of taking part in for Gilas once more in 2021 throughout a window within the World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Bolick was not included within the 21-man pool for this 12 months’s version of the World Cup.
(CJ Perez. Photo: fiba.basketball)
CJ Perez
THEN: LPU Pirates
NOW: San Miguel Beermen (PBA)
Picked in the identical draft class as Bolick, CJ Perez was taken because the No. 1 choose by the Columbian Dyip (now named Terrafirma Dyip). The six-foot-two cager averaged career-highs of 24.4 factors per recreation and 4.3 assists per outing whereas additionally grabbing 6.8 rebounds an evening in his ultimate season with Terrafirma earlier than he was traded. In February 2021, Perez was moved to the San Miguel Beermen, the place he nonetheless presently performs.
For the nationwide staff, Perez first performed for Gilas in 2016 for the FIBA Asia Challenge. Ever since then, the 29-year-old has been a staple within the Gilas Pilipinas setup, that includes in each 5-on-5 and 3×3 tournaments. Most notably, Perez shone brilliant through the 2019 FIBA World Cup whereby he averaged 12.6 factors, 3.2 rebounds, and a pair of.6 assists.
He is a member of the 2023 Gilas pool for the FIBA World Cup.
(Juan Gomez De Liaño. Photo: fiba.basketball)
Juan Gomez De Liaño
THEN: UP Fighting Maroons
NOW: Seoul SK Knights (Korea)
Juan Gomez de Liaño’s basketball profession has taken him everywhere in the world ever since transferring on from his collegiate staff, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, in 2019. After a few stints within the Dubai International Tournament, PBA D-League, and a few 3×3 tournaments, the six-foot-one guard signed his first skilled contract in 2021 with Japanese squad Earth Friends Tokyo Z in Division 2 of the B.League.
After his time in Japan, Gomez De Liaño flew over to Lithuania to play for BC Wolves throughout their 2022-2023 Lietuvos krepšinio lyga (LKL) season. Most lately, the previous Fighting Maroon inked a take care of Korean Basketball League (KBL) staff Seoul SK Knights, agreeing to a three-year contract (with the ultimate 12 months being a participant’s possibility).
He has suited up for Gilas a number of occasions, together with one window within the 2023 Asian Qualifiers for the World Cup held final 12 months.
Remy Martin
THEN: Arizona State Sun Devils
NOW: Keflavík (Iceland)
Filipino-American Remy Macaspac Martin was a part of the Arizona State Sun Devils however transferred a couple of years later to the University of Kansas (KU). After successful the US NCAA Division 1 National Championship with the Kansas Jayhawks, Martin went undrafted within the 2022 NBA draft. The six-foot guard was then chosen fortieth general by the Cleveland Charge within the NBA G League draft, however didn’t make its ultimate roster.
In November 2022, Martin signed for Greek membership Lavrio whereby he averaged 6.1 factors, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 12 video games. The Filipino-American has lately signed a contract with Keflavík of the Icelandic Úrvalsdeild karla.
Despite exhibiting a number of curiosity in taking part in for the Philippine nationwide staff, Martin was not in a position to get hold of a Philippine passport earlier than the age of 16, subsequently solely making him eligible as a naturalized participant underneath the present FIBA guidelines.
(Matt Nieto. Photo: fiba.basketball)
Matt Nieto
THEN: Ateneo Blue Eagles
NOW: NLEX Road Warriors (PBA)
Three-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) champion Matt Nieto was chosen third general within the particular Gilas PBA draft in 2019. He made a number of appearances for Gilas, like within the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, earlier than formally becoming a member of his PBA membership, the NLEX Road Warriors, in 2022.
In the 2022-2023 PBA season, the six-foot-one guard put up 6.8 factors, 3.8 assists, and a pair of.7 rebounds per recreation all through the three conferences.
The former Ateneo Blue Eagle will nonetheless go well with up for the Road Warriors this upcoming PBA season.
Paul Desiderio
THEN: UP Fighting Maroons
NOW: Manila Chooks (FIBA 3×3)
After three years with the Blackwater Elite/Bossing, the place he put up averages of 5.0 factors, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists, Paul Desiderio introduced that he would retire from the PBA in 2022, citing that he wished to permit his ACL damage to heal whereas additionally beginning a brand new chapter in his life.
Shortly after leaving the PBA, the six-foot-one shooter determined to take his skills to 3×3 basketball. The 26-year-old lately performed with Manila Chooks within the Ulaanbaatar Super Quest and 2023 FIBA 3×3 World Tour Manila Masters, the place his staff positioned seventh and tenth respectively.
(Thirdy Ravena. Photo: Angela Davocol)
Thirdy Ravena
THEN: Ateneo Blue Eagles
San-en NeoPhoenix (Japan)
After a exceptional collegiate profession with Ateneo that included three UAAP championships and three Finals MVP awards, Thirdy Ravena signed with B.League membership San-en NeoPhoenix in 2020, making him the first-ever participant to be signed underneath the league’s Asian Player Quota system.
Since then, extra Filipino gamers have gone abroad to attempt to replicate Ravena’s success. In his most up-to-date season with San-en, the 26-year-old averaged 11.5 factors, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 60 video games performed. The six-foot-three guard/ahead will stick with the NeoPhoenix after getting a recent contract extension with the B.League membership.
Alongside his older brother Kiefer, the previous Ateneo Blue Eagle star was included within the 21-man pool for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Jjay Alejandro
THEN: NU Bulldogs
NOW: Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (PBA)
A former staff captain of the Philippines nationwide youth staff, Jjay Alejandro was picked eighth general by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters within the 2018 PBA draft. After his first 12 months within the execs, Alejandro was picked up by the TNT Tropang Giga the place he performed a couple of conferences. This 12 months, the 28-year-old was part of a three-team, six-player commerce whereby he ended up with the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters.
The six-foot-two former NU Bulldog averaged 3.5 factors in roughly 10 minutes of motion throughout his first convention with the Fuel Masters.
Ken Tuffin
THEN: FEU Tamaraws
NOW: Wellington Saints (New Zealand)
Former Far Eastern University Tamaraw Ken Tuffin spent the primary 4 years of his skilled profession within the New Zealand National Basketball League. After a season with the Taranaki Mountain Airs, the Filipino-Kiwi spent his subsequent three NBL campaigns with the Wellington Saints, even serving to them notch an NBL title in 2021.
Tuffin’s first season with the Saints was his most prolific as he churned out 8.5 factors, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 20 outings.
Despite his profitable expeditions in New Zealand, the 25-year-old has lately expressed his curiosity to return again to the Philippines and enter his identify into the 2023 PBA Draft.
Jeo Ambohot
THEN: Letran Knights
NOW: Converge FiberXers (PBA)
A two-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) champion and a Finals MVP), Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s Jeo Ambohot was drafted third general by the Converge FiberXers within the 2022 PBA Draft.
In his first convention with the FiberXers, the six-foot-seven Ambohot produced 6.2 factors and 5.8 rebounds in 11 video games, although he would see his position diminish within the Commissioner’s and Governors’ Cup given the inflow of massive males Converge had on the time.
Now 26-years-old, the previous Letran Knight is gearing up for his second 12 months with Converge.
(Kobe Paras. Photo: fiba.basketball)
Kobe Paras
THEN: Creighton Bluejays
NOW: Free Agent
Kobe Paras, then billed from Creighton University, returned to the Philippines to play for the UP Fighting Maroons within the UAAP, serving to lead his staff to the Final Four.
Paras’ first shot on the skilled scene got here when he signed with Niigata Albirex BB of the Japanese B.League. In 49 video games, the six-foot-six wing averaged 8.2 factors, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. Paras’ tenure with the Albirex BB can be brief lived after not being re-signed for the next season. He would keep in Japan and transfer to Altiri Chiba of B.League Division 2. Paras would go on to provide 5.3 factors, 1.0 assists, and 0.9 rebounds in 33 video games earlier than mutually parting methods with the membership in March 2023.
Currently, there aren’t any bulletins but on the 25-year-old’s subsequent vacation spot.
(Dwight Ramos. Photo: fiba.basketball)
Dwight Ramos
THEN: California State University
NOW: Levanga Hokkaido (Japan)
Dwight Ramos dedicated to play for the Ateneo Blue Eagles however determined to forego his lone 12 months of eligibility within the UAAP to show professional through the pandemic.
Ramos inked a take care of Japanese B.League staff Toyama Grouses in September 2021. The six-foot-four winger averaged 10.0 factors, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals in 46 video games for Toyama however was not renewed for the 2022-2023 season.
Ramos, nonetheless, remained in Japan after Levanga Hokkaido signed him as their Asian Quota participant. The 24-year-old steadily paced himself along with his new staff as he put up 9.5 factors, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 steals, prompting Levanga to increase his contract for no less than yet one more 12 months.
Beloved by Filipino followers, Ramos has been an integral a part of Gilas since 2020 and is included within the 21-man pool for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Joshua Sinclair
THEN: National University
NOW: Free Agent
Ever since his inclusion within the pool, Joshua Sinclair unluckily struggled after struggling an ACL tear on his proper knee throughout his first collegiate 12 months. Upon returning, the previous Gilas youth staff member was sparingly utilized in his comeback season with the National University Bulldogs. In UAAP Season 81, Sinclair averaged 3.4 factors and a pair of.9 rebounds in roughly 9 minutes of motion.
After seeing restricted taking part in time the 12 months prior, Sinclair was in the end excluded from the Bulldogs’ roster in season 82. The six-foot-four swingman hoped for a return to the Bulldogs for season 83 however was the season was halted as a result of pandemic.
Since then, the previous Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu standout moved to Australia and final performed within the Western Sydney Basketball Association (WSBA) for DAS, Good Luck Meats 1, and most lately, the Turbo Chargers 1 again in August 2022.
Arvin Tolentino
THEN: FEU Tamaraws
NOW: NorthPort Batang Pier (PBA)
Drafted tenth general within the 2019 PBA draft by the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Arvin Tolentino steadily ramped up his manufacturing season-by-season.
After getting traded to the NorthPort Batang Pier in September 2020, the previous FEU Tamaraw upped his scoring manufacturing to greater than 10 factors, averaging 14.5 factors whereas additionally grabbing 4.8 rebounds this previous season. Now one of many veterans in NorthPort, Tolentino is predicted to tackle a fair larger position after Bolick’s departure.
The former youth staff member was additionally part of the gold medal successful staff on the thirty first SEA Games in Cambodia held earlier this 12 months.
Javee Mocon
THEN: San Beda Red Lions
NOW: Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (PBA)
After spending a couple of years with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, Javee Mocon signed a three-year take care of the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters in 2022. In his first season with the Fuel Masters, the six-foot-three guard averaged 11.6 factors, 6.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per recreation.
Mocon was called-up to the nationwide staff through the first window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup however was unlucky to overlook out on a spot within the final-12.
(Kai Sotto. Photo: Angela Davocol)
Kai Sotto
THEN: Ateneo Blue Eaglets (highschool)
NOW: Hiroshima Dragonflies (Japan)
In the general public eye for fairly a while now, Kai Sotto has made waves abroad. After his NBA G League stint with the G League Ignite by no means materialized, Sotto took his skills to Australia’s NBL and performed for the Adelaide 36ers for 2 seasons. For the 36ers, the seven-foot-three heart averaged 7.1 factors and 4.5 rebounds in 50 video games.
In 2023, the 21-year-old then flew to Japan and signed a contract with the Hiroshima Dragonflies of the B.League. After his first season with the Dragonflies, Sotto inked a contract extension with the staff however with an opt-out clause in hopes of getting picked up by an NBA staff.
Last June, the massive man obtained an invitation from the Orlando Magic to play within the NBA Las Vegas Summer League. Sotto would sadly see restricted taking part in time in Las Vegas, along with his greatest outing coming in opposition to the Portland Trail Blazers, placing up six factors, 4 rebounds, and three blocks in 13 minutes.
Sotto is predicted to return to Hiroshima however will first play for the nationwide staff as he was included within the 21-man pool for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
(Isaac Go. Photo: fiba.basketball)
Isaac Go
THEN: Ateneo Blue Eagles
NOW: Terrafirma Dyip (PBA)
Terrafirma Dyip (previously referred to as Columbian Dyip) drafted Isaac Go first general through the particular Gilas Pilipinas draft in 2019. The six-foot-seven stretch massive performed for quite a few iterations of the Philippine staff, together with the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, each held in 2021
Go would finally signal a contract with Terrafirma at first of 2022, however was unfortunate to maintain an ACL damage simply 5 months after.
Healthy once more, the previous Ateneo Blue Eagle made his most-awaited return for the Dyip within the PBA On Tour, during which he averaged 9.6 factors and 6.6 rebunds in 10 video games.
(Abu Tratter. Photo: fiba.basketball)
Abu Tratter
THEN: De La Salle Green Archers
NOW: Magnolia Hotshots (PBA)
This offseason, the Magnolia Hotshots bolstered their frontline by buying and selling for six-foot-five ahead Abu Tratter. Before getting shipped out, the 30-year-old spent all of final 12 months taking part in for the Converge FiberXers whereby he averaged 7.6 factors and 5.0 rebounds.
In the PBA On Tour, the previous De La Salle University Green Archer posted 7.5 factors, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in eight video games, serving to the Hotshots sweep the preseason.
Tratter was added in a few 12-man Gilas Pilipinas that performed within the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in 2018 and first window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers in 2020.
AJ Edu
THEN: Llandovery College UK
NOW: Toyama Grouses (Japan)
After graduating from the University of Toledo final May, AJ Edu signed his first skilled contract with the Toyama Grouses within the Japanese B.League.
The six-foot-ten massive artificial his Philippines debut within the 2018 Under-18 Asian Championships. Edu led the Gilas youth staff with 14.2 factors, 11.5 rebounds, and a pair of.8 blocks, serving to them end fourth within the match and a spot within the Under-19 World Cup. Unfortunately, the Fil-Nigerian would endure a torn ACL and torn meniscus on his proper knee after only a few minutes within the cadet’s first recreation.
Edu would wrestle in his collegiate profession with the Toledo Rockets due recurring knee issues, solely returning to full health in his senior 12 months.
Nevertheless, Gilas coach Chot Reyes has seen sufficient of Edu to incorporate him within the 21-man pool for the 2023 World Cup.
(Carl Tamayo. Photo: fiba.basketball)
Carl Tamayo
THEN: NU Bullpups (highschool)
NOW: Ryukyu Golden Kings (Japan)
Along with Sotto and Will Gozum, Tamayo was only a highschool star when the checklist was launched in 2018. Since then, he has accomplished a stellar collegiate profession that features successful the UP Fighting Maroons’ first UAAP title in 36 years.
Adding one other championship underneath his belt, Tamayo received the Japan B.League crown with the Ryukyu Golden Kings in simply his first 12 months as an expert. The six-foot-eight ahead concluded his rookie 12 months with the Golden Kings with 2.7 factors and 1.3 rebounds in 8.2 minutes per recreation.
Despite not logging a lot taking part in time, Tamayo is predicted to run it again with the reigning B.League champions as they try to go back-to-back subsequent season.
Despite getting included into the 21-man pool for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the previous Gilas youth staff member begged off attributable to tendonitis. The 22-year-old mentioned that he’ll use these subsequent few months to heal and get better earlier than returning to Japan.
(Photo: fiba.basketball)
Kemark Cariño
THEN: San Beda Red Lions
NOW: Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards (MPBL)
After forgoing his ultimate taking part in 12 months for the San Beda Red Lions, Kemark Cariño has been throughout these previous couple of years.
First, he signed a deal to play in Japan for the Aomori Wat’s of B.League Division 2. Cariño was sparingly utilized in his time with Aomori, solely logging 1.9 factors and 1.8 rebounds in 25 video games.
The six-foot-eight cager would then return to the Philippines to play for Marinerong Pilipino within the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup, earlier than going overseas once more to shortly go well with up for Malaysian squad Pegasus Brunei.
In early 2023, Cariño performed for Zamboanga Valientes within the ASEAN Basketball League and Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) staff Muntinlupa Cagers. Now, the 25-year-old is taking part in for the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards the place he’s placing up 6.6 factors, 7.6 rebounds, and a block in 5 video games.
Will Gozum
THEN: Mapua Red Robins (highschool)
NOW: Benilde Blazers (NCAA)
Will Gozum, previous to his inclusion on the 23 for 23 checklist, was a highschool star for the Mapua Red Robins, successful NCAA Jrs. MVP honors in NCAA Season 93. He was additionally a former Gilas youth staff member.
He dedicated to play for the UP Fighting Maroons in school, however left after two seasons to switch to College of Saint Benilde within the NCAA.
The six-foot-seven cager is coming off a stellar season for the Blazers, placing up 16.7 factors, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists to guide his staff to a finals look in Season 98 and win the NCAA MVP award within the serniors ranks. Despite rumors of going professional, the reigning MVP in the end determined to stick with Benilde for yet one more 12 months.
Troy Rike
THEN: Wake Forest Demon Deacons
NOW: NorthPort Batang Pier (PBA)
Troy Rike, a former participant for Wake Forest University, performed one season for the NU Bulldogs in UAAP Season 81. After spending a few years taking part in for quite a few groups within the 3×3 circuit, Rike formally declared for the 2020 PBA Draft the place he was picked eleventh general by the NorthPort Batang Pier.
In his first 12 months with the Batang Pier, the six-foot-eight massive man averaged 3.8 factors and a pair of.7 rebounds. However, at first of the 2022-2023 PBA season, he took a depart of absence from NorthPort and has not returned.
NorthPort staff supervisor Erick Arejola lately mentioned that Rike nonetheless has yet one more 12 months left in his contract if or when he decides to return to the courtroom.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
