GILAS PILIPINAS LEAVES FOR NEW ZEALAND
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 08 Jul 2013
Gilas Pilipinas national basketball team is set to leave for New Zealand on Tuesday to play a series of six games for their final tune-up for the 27th FIBA Asia Championship which will be held on August 1-11 in Manila. Only 13 players will join the trip and coincidentally will be the same players that participated in the training camp they had in Lithuania last month.
The 13 players include naturalized player Marcus Douthit, Gary David, LA Tenorio, Ranidel de Ocampo, Jeff Chan, Gabe Norwood and Larry Fonacier who are all members of the 2012 Jones Cup champion team. To join them are Jayson Castro, Marc Pingris, Junmar Fajardo, Jimmy Alapag, Japeth Aguilar and Beau Belga.
Sonny Thoss, the national team mainstay last year failed to make it because of a medical treatment in China while Greg Slaughter could not abandon his studies in Ateneo. They could become instant replacements if in case any of the big men who were regularly practicing with the team might get injured.
Other members of the national training pool are Kelly Williams, Ryan Reyes, Jared Dillinger, Garyo Lanete, RR Garcia, Kevin Alas, Matt Ganuelas, Jake Pascual, and Ronald Pascual. They completed the 24-man roster of the Gilas Pilipinas pool. According to national coach Chot Reyes, the Final 12 will be announced on Thursday.
Former Gilas Pilipinas coach and Serbian national mentor Rajko Toroman was all impressed by the performance of the national team when they played against his Red Bull Barakos whom the nationals humbled, 84-67 last Saturday at the Ynares Center in Pasig. Toroman was all praises for the great players in all positions which Gilas possessed. They shot well, played excellent defense, and were of tremendous sizes that could match up their Asian competitors.
San Mig Coffee and former national coach Tim Cone was also amazed on the intensity, chemistry and togetherness? of the Gilas team. He had attended two practices of Team Pilipinas and called Reyes as a ?great leader? of the team.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 11 Jan 2026Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Sat, 10 Jan 2026Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 10 Jan 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
Sat, 10 Jan 2026ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
Sat, 10 Jan 2026Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 10 Jan 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Fri, 09 Jan 2026Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 09 Jan 2026Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
Fri, 09 Jan 2026Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 09 Jan 2026Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
Fri, 09 Jan 2026IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
Fri, 09 Jan 2026SEAG Davao-based athletes eye International stints
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 09 Jan 2026