Gilas’ edge is speed

MANILA, Philippines —  What Gilas lacks in size, it makes up for in speed. That’s how Brandon Bates figures the Philippine campaign will play out in men’s 5x5 basketball at the coming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

“From what we saw in the last FIBA window, I think our Asian Games team can play the same way we did in beating Jordan and Iran,” said Bates, now in Suwon with Gilas ready to play the South Korean national team in a friendly tonight. “We’re smaller than the FIBA window team but faster. Coach Tim (Cone) has left a spot open for JB (Justin Brownlee). We hope he can play.”

Bates said Gilas’ guards are the best in Asia and give the team a huge advantage. “There’s no faster guy than Nocs (Adrian Nocum) and (Robert) Bolick’s resumé speaks for itself then we’ve got (Sedrick) Barefield and Jerrick (Ahanmisi) who are absolute shooters and RJ (Abarrientos) is the perfect point guard,” he said. “We’ve also got (Don) Trollano who plays multiple positions. For our bigs, (Zavier) Lucero is long and tall, a matchup problem for any team, BGR (Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser) is tough and I’m excited to tandem with him, Balti (Justine Baltazar) and I go back a long way from La Salle so we’ve got a good connection and Justin (Arana) is our Baby June Mar.”

Bates, 29, said he never imagined to be named to the Asian Games pool, much less the Final 12. “It’s an honor and surprise,” he said. “At first, it felt like impostor syndrome. I still can’t believe it and I just tell myself to be level-headed with my feet on the ground. It’s a privilege and the highlight of my career.” The 6-8 Bates is averaging 5.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 22.5 minutes for Meralco in the ongoing PBA Governors’ Cup. His career highs include 15 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks.

Gilas landed at the Incheon Airport last Wednesday then took a 1 1/2 hour bus ride to Suwon where friendlies with the South Korean national team are set tonight and Sunday. South Korea’s coach is Latvian Nikolajs Mazurs, the first foreigner to call the shots for the national squad. Mazurs, 45, was appointed late last year with a resumé marked by stops in Russia, Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania and Latvia.