The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) revealed the final lineup of 12 players who will proudly represent the Philippines in the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, commencing this Friday.
The Gilas Pilipinas roster features familiar faces, including:
Rhenz Abando
Japeth Aguilar
Jordan Clarkson
AJ Edu
June Mar Fajardo
Jamie Malonzo
CJ Perez
RR Pogoy
Dwight Ramos
Kiefer Ravena
Kai Sotto
Scottie Thompson
This marks the third consecutive appearance at the World Cup for Fajardo and Aguilar, a record achievement for any Filipino basketball player in the tournament's history. Meanwhile, Pogoy, Ravena, and Perez are participating in their second World Cup.
With an average height of around 6-foot-5, this assembly of players might be the tallest Philippine team ever assembled. Every player stands above 6 feet tall, with Kiefer Ravena being the shortest at slightly above 6 feet. Additionally, at 7 feet and 3 inches, Kai Sotto is making history as the tallest Filipino to compete in the World Cup.
Exceptionally, six players on the roster are not currently part of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), excluding the teams from the 1970s and 1950s. Edu, Ramos, Ravena, and Sotto are signed with Japanese professional clubs, while Abando recently played in the Korean league. Meanwhile, Jordan Clarkson marks a groundbreaking moment by becoming the first active NBA player to join Gilas.
Kai Sotto, at 21 years and three months old, becomes one of the youngest Filipino players to participate in the World Cup, reminiscent of Joy Carpio's presence in the 1978 edition at the age of 20 years and four months. On the other side, June Mar Fajardo, at 33 years and nine months old, stands as one of the oldest, reminiscent of Tembong Melencio's participation in 1974 at the age of 34 years and ten months.
At the back of the minds of a lot of Pinoy basketball fans is this question, is Kiefer deserving of his spot? To be more exact, is he deserving more than Chris Newsoms, Calvin Oftana, Thirdy Ravena and Bobby Ray Parks?
I think, he is not. Kiefer's biggest offering is his ability to become the initial play-creator. But, looking at the current line-up, there are already four guys who are better options for that. I am talking about Scottie Thompson, Jordan Clarkson, Dwight Ramos and CJ Perez.
His shooting? Oftana is a 6'5 shooter who is better on the defensive end.
But, I would rather be proven wrong than be right for this one. I would rather stand to be corrected than to be praised for making a correct statement.
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