Beermen core's confidence sky-high after Gilas Asiad gold

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas’ gold medal finish the Hangzhou Asian Games boosted the confidence of key San Miguel cogs that were part of that iteration of the Philippine men’s basketball squad.

Many-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo and his Beermen teammates Chris Ross, CJ Perez and Marcio Lassiter played for Gilas in Hangzhou, helping the Philippines bring home its first Asiad men’s basketball gold medal in 61 years. 

San Miguel head coach Jorge Gallent told reporters on Tuesday’s PBA Media Day that it gave the players a welcome boost ahead of PBA Season 48.

The season, which will be kicked off by the Commissioner’s Cup, will start November 5. 

“It lifted their confidence. They learned a lot from coach Tim [Cone and their confidence is kinda high coming into this season],” Gallent told reporters.
 
“The golds that they got will be an added boost for their confidence this coming season,” he added.

San Miguel is eyeing to win the Commissioner’s Cup title once again, having last ruled the conference in 2019.

Fajardo and Perez, who also suited up for Gilas in the FIBA World Cup, played vital roles for the team in the Asiad. 

Lassiter and Ross, meanwhile, were late replacements for the team. 

Among the players that were replaced in the roster was San Miguel guard Terrence Romeo. 

For his part, Romeo said that while he is disappointed that he was unable to play for Gilas in the Asian Games, it “does not stop there.” 

“It was out of our control. Of course, my thinking was, I was sad. It would have been me and Calvin’s first comeback,” he said. 

“But I put it in my mind that it does not stop there. We are still playing, and if ever we are called upon again, I will be ready. I will make sure that I am ready because that is what matters,” he added. 

Despite this, Romeo said they are all happy that Gilas won the gold medal in the Asiad.

“Who knows, maybe in the next opportunity [to play for Gilas], we may be called. I will make sure that I am ready to compete for my spot and help Gilas.”