MANILA, Philippines - Gilas Pilipinas won’t see action in the 2013 William Jones Cup but will have a top coach in the Taipei tourney to scout the opposition for the 27th FIBA Asia Championship at home next month.
Multi-titled coach Norman Black will do the important task of gathering information about all Asian national teams competing in the Jones Cup slated July 6-15.
Black, among coach Chot Reyes’ deputies at Gilas, will take a close look at Iran, Jordan, Japan, South Korea, Lebanon and Chinese Taipei.
A US Selection, Egypt and Chinese Taipei B (Kuang-hua) complete the cast in the international tourney ruled by Gilas Pilipinas last year.
A diplomatic row between Chinese Taipei and the Philippines stemming from the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman in a disputed sea territory prompted Jones Cup organizers to withdraw its invitation to Gilas Pilipinas.
The withdrawal of the Jones Cup invite, however, is turning out to be a blessing in disguise for the Phl team.
For one, Gilas Pilipinas has set an alternative trip in New Zealand where the team can never be scouted by anybody.
Junmar Fajardo, Marc Pingris and Jason Castro are among Gilas players not yet exposed to international scouts. They make their initial appearance in Asian basketball in the FIBA Asia tourney set Aug. 1-11 at the MOA Arena in Pasay and Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
On the other hand, Black can well dissect the key players and playing styles of Iran, Jordan, Japan, South Korea, Lebanon and Chinese Taipei in the Jones Cup.
Strong Asian forces not playing in Taipei are China, Qatar and Kazakhstan.
After its opening game against lowly Saudi Arabia, Gilas Pilipinas takes on Jordan on Aug. 2, then Chinese Taipei the following day.
Lebanon, Japan and Qatar are the potential second-round opponents of the Filipinos.
Qatar, under American coach Tom Wisman, opted to play tune-up games somewhere else like China.
China held series of games against Australia and Ukraine while Qatar had its own Lithuanian tour.
The Chinese try to defend the crown they reclaimed at home in Wuhan in 2011. The Qataris, on the other hand, are determined to redeem themselves from their Wuhan debacle caused by eligibility problems to most of their players.