(FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers) KOUAME, COLLEGIATE STARS SA GILAS POOL

INANUNSIYO kahapon ng Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) ang Gilas Pilipinas pool para sa November window ng FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers.

Ang pool ay pinangungunahan nina Isaac Go, magkapatid na Matt at Mike Nieto, Rey Suerte, at Allyn Bulanadi. Ang limang  players ay na-draft sa PBA special draft noong nakaraang taon para sa men’s national basketball team.

Ang iba pang college stars na kabilang sa lineup ay sina University of the Philippines’ Juan at Javi Gomez de Liaño at  Kobe Paras,  Dave Ildefonso ng Ateneo, at Justine Baltazar ng  De La Salle University.

Bahagi rin ng pool si Ateneo’s foreign student-athlete Angelo Kouame, gayundin sina Will Navarro, Kenmark Cariño, Calvin Oftana, Jaydee Tungcab, at  Dwight Ramos.

Ang men’s basketball team ay maglalaro sa Bahrain ngayong Nobyembre.

Tinalo ng Gilas Pilipinas ang Indonesia, 100-70, sa nag-iisang qualifying game nito noong Pebrero.

Pinayagan na rin ng Inter-Agency Task Force for the Managment of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) ang koponan na mag-enssyo at maghanda sa sarili nitong bubble.

“After careful deliberation and taking into consideration the safety and health protocols of both countries involved, as well as the lifting by the Department of Foreign Affairs of the travel ban to Bahrain, we are pleased to inform you that the NTF has reconsidered its earlier position and hereby allows the participation of the SBP to the Qualifiers for the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup,” pahayag ng National Task Force Against COVID-19 sa isang liham.

Isasagawa nila ang kanilang training bubble sa Inspire Sports Academy sa Calamba, Laguna.