The formation of the Gilas 4.0 team began yesterday, and it was a big success.
With a prefect attendance from the new recruits of the team, the new Gilas team might be looking at the tallest Gilas team pitched in the international sporting scene says reports.
Some of the Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) biggest (and tallest) stars were present among the pool of candidates vying for a slot in the new Gilas roster. Last October, the PBA announced it’s full support of the Gilas team and released a pool of 17 players composing of some of the PBA’s best.
Among the Candidates present was PBA’s MVP June Mar Fajardo, the 6”10′ center of San Miguel. He was joined by Brgy. Ginebra’s “Twin towers”, 7” Greg Slaughter and 6”9′ Japeth Aguilar.
Photo credit to: Peter Baltazar
Also present in the practice session were Star Hotshots Ian Sangalang who stands at 6”7′ and Talk ‘N Text rookie Troy Rosario.
Gilas Head Coach Tab Baldwin expressed his gratitude towards the support of the players and fans.
“Now we can all move forward. There’s no time to move sideways at this time. I’m happy for the fans and I’m happy for Philippine basketball and just like any other fan, I’m excited to see these players wearing the Gilas uniform,” Baldwin said in a report.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is also taking precautionary measures to make sure that naturalized player and former NBA star Andray Blatche is on the team for the qualifying rounds.
Andray Blatche’s contract didn’t cover the Qualifying rounds, but covered the Olympics game at Rio.
According to reports, Blatche is currently under contract with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association, but is expected to be available when their season ends in February next year.
The new Gilas team will face other countries — not only asia– in the Qualifying rounds.
Gilas Pilipinas will start its weekly Monday night practice and will add a few more days to its training sessions.
Are you ready to know who’s going to be a part of Gilas 4.0? Tell us who you want in the new Gilas roster below!
