Gilas Pilipinas to play in Cebu

MEMBERS of the Gilas Pilipinas national team will once again showcase their skills before the rabid Cebuano crowd as they make a stop here for an exhibition game against the PBA selection on July 24.

According to a report that was posted on Spin.ph, the team will be playing in Cebu and in Davao as part of its preparations for the Fiba-Asia Men’s Basketball Championships, which the country will be hosting for the first time in 40 years on Aug. 1-11.

According to head coach Chot Reyes, the trip is a vital component for the team’s campaign as this will encourage fan support for the squad.

“With our desire to have our national team represent the country, we want to go around the countryside. It’s an opportunity na makita ng mga kababayan natin ang Gilas Pilipinas, especially those who won’t be able to watch us here in Manila. Maganda din ito because it is an opportunity for Gilas players to get a feel of the support and love of our kababayans before they play sa Fiba-Asia,” Reyes said.

The Gilas last played in Cebu in 2011 when they faced off with the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños and the defunct Cebu Landmasters-Mandaue in a pair of exhibition games. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio