PH Gilas starts bid in Dubai tourney

THE LATEST incarnation of the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas takes the stage and opens their bid in the 24th Dubai International basketball tournament today at the Al Ahli Club.

However, the wards of head coach Chot Reyes, are expected to be in for a rough time as their first assignment will be title favorites Mouttahed Tripoli.

This Gilas team is in for a tough test and is far removed from the professional-laden squad that won the Jones Cup last year, with just three PBA players along with naturalized player Marcus Douthit manning the team.

The PBA players are Ronjay Buenafe, KG Canaleta and Jay- Reyes. They are being joined by a squad of players from the cadet pool led by Cebuano big man, Greg Slaughter, Kevin Alas, RR Garcia, Garvo Lanete, Jake Pascual, Ronald Pascual, Matthew Rosser, Isaac Holstein, and Justin Melton. Reyes opted not to hire imports for this team as this is expected to be a tune-up for the FIBA-Asia Men’s basketball championship slated for later this year.

In contrast, Mouttahed has two imports in their fold in Marc Salyers and Eric Chatfields.

After today’s game, the Gilas will next take on Al Ahli./Correspondent Jonas Panerio