In New Zealand Phl Gilas to battle formidable opponents

CEBU, Philippines - Gilas Pilipinas, the men’s national basketball team, faces formidable opponents in its 10-day training trip in New Zealand as the team left the country Tuesday afternoon. The trip comes in preparation for the 27th FIBA Asia Championship happening here in Manila from August 1 to 11.

The country will be hosting the FIBA Asia Championship for only the third time after 40 years. Gilas Pilipinas is hoping to duplicate the feat of the 1973 Philippine team that won the title.

The team is composed of Japeth Aguilar, Jimmy Alapag,  Beau Belga, Jason Castro, Jeff Chan, Gary David, Ranidel de Ocampo, June Mar Fajardo, Larry Fonacier, Gabe Norwood,  Mark Pingris, LA Tenorio, and Marcus Douthit.

Gilas Pilipinas sets-up camp at Napier, New Zealand on July 10 where they will be having twice-a-day practices with coach Tab Baldwin, conducting the training sessions.

The team then faces NBL team Hawkes Bay Hawks of coach Tab Baldwin on July 12 and 13. They will then face a tough line-up of NBL All-Stars on July 14 also in Napier.

The team then travels by bus to Wellington on July 15 and faces the Wellington Saints, who just clinched the top seed going into the four-team NBL Playoffs, on July 16. The Saints are bannered by American big man Rick Rickert and a slew of guards.

 Immediately after the Saints game, Gilas Pilipinas flies to Auckland. On July 17, the team will be tested against the Super City Rangers on July 17.

The national team wraps up its training trip on July 18 with a game versus the “Tall Blacks” or the New Zealand national team, which is ranked 18th in the FIBA World Standings.

Gilas Pilipinas returns to Manila on July 19.  (FREEMAN)