GILAS PILIPINAS: JUNE MAR WILL SIT OUT FIBA ASIA CUP DUE TO INJURY

Another unexpected blow to the Gilas Pilipinas campaign was all over Twitter world today. It was announced this afternoon that June Mar Fajardo might miss out on the Gilas campaign at the FIBA Asia Cup after injuring his calf during the San Miguel - Talk N Text game last Wednesday.

The 3 time and reigning PBA MVP apparently has a strained right calf muscle and will be out for at least a couple of weeks. It was also reported that June Mar will still travel with the team to Lebanon to observe on the playing style of the other countries, maybe for preparation for the World Cup qualifiers which will start before the year ends.

Here is the medical certificate which was given to the media by the PBA Commissioner:

Copy June Mar Fajardo's medical report (distributed by Comm. Narvasa). The Kraken will miss the 2017 FIBA-Asia Cup | @abscbnsports pic.twitter.com/83kVBxP7xl

— Paul Kennedy Lintag (@paullintag8) August 4, 2017

Gilas coach Chot Reyes then posted this in his Twitter account:

As the size gets smaller & the number dwindles, the fight grows bigger as the heart expands even more. #💪🇵🇭❤️

— Chot Reyes (@coachot) August 4, 2017

Another Gilas player was also reported to be injured. Returning Gilas defense specialist Gabe Norwood was also reported to be injured and will also be out of the FIBA Asia campaign. In his Twitter account, Gabe posted this:

I'm hurt?

— Gabe Norwood (@GNorwood5) August 4, 2017

He was then quick to clarify that he is not hurt and will play in FIBA Asia Cup.

I'm not hurt

— Gabe Norwood (@GNorwood5) August 4, 2017

Given all of what has happened, with the limited preparation that we have, I am tempering my expectations of our placing in this tournament. But who knows? We might still pull off some surprise wins.

But one thing is for sure, I am still supporting Gilas Pilipinas. Puso!

GILAS PILIPINAS: LOOK WHO SHOWED UP IN THE GILAS PRACTICE

Tonight is the first training day of the Gilas Pilipinas team for the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup. Surprisingly, a familiar face showed up. It is not the players but a former guide of our region basketball rival - it is former Thailand National Basketball Team head coach Tim Lewis.

Thailand's SEABA head coach, Tim Lewis is now part of the Gilas Pilipinas coaching staff 🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/1Pzgj53Gpa

— Sports5 (@Sports5PH) July 27, 2017

Lewis was the coach of the Thailand NT since 2016 and was the coach when Gilas faced them during the SEABA tournament here in Manila. According to the news, after Thailand took home the bronze in that tournament, Lewis went back home for vacation. When he came back to Thailand, he was informed that he was going to be fired due to the team's performance. This came as a surprise to him and look where he is now - in the stable with the regional champions.

This can be an advantage to the SEA Games team, Since they will be facing Thailand in their first game on August 20, they might not have Christian Standhardinger and Carl Bryan Cruz since they are also in the FIBA Asia Cup line up which will only end on the same day. Though we are undermanned, the familiarity of Tim Lewis with the Thailand team will come in handy.

NEW FIBA QUALIFICATION CYCLE FOR OLYMPIC GAMES AND WORLD CUP EXPLAINED

The new cycle for the qualification for Asia and Oceania teams for the 2019 World Cup in China and 2020 Tokyo Olympics is explained in this video released by FIBA in their official YouTube Channel :

As stated in the video, this cycle will start next year and will be on a home and away game format, same as what FIFA is doing, giving more chances for the fans to watch their national teams.

GILAS PILIPINAS : GILAS CADETS WINS THE 2016 SEABA STANKOVIC CUP

The Philippines remains to be the men's basketball champion in Southeast Asia.

The Gilas Cadets team bagged the 2016 SEABA Stankovic Cup in Bangkok, Thailand after sweeping the elimination round and beating Thailand in the Championship game, 97 - 80. The cadets team pulled out this victory even though they were only formed a few weeks before the tournament started.

The team is bannered by pro-ballers Troy Rosario of Talk N Text and Almond Vosotros of Blackwater Elite. The core of the UAAP champion team FEU is also in the team - Mac Belo, Raymark Jose, Mike Tolomia, RR Pogoy, Ken Holmqvist and Russel Escoto. Other members were Arellano playmaker Jio Jalalon, UST standout Kevin Ferrer, Ateneo's Von Pessumal and Batang Gilas U-18 player from Chiang Kai Shek College Jonas Tibayan.

Gold Medal for Gilas Cadets in the SEABA Stankovic Cup!

Read more: https://t.co/6lLHNU7zzz pic.twitter.com/yJLKGdKyaE

— Gilas Pilipinas (@smartgilasph) May 28, 2016

The championship game came 2 days after a very close game against Thailand in the eliminations, where the Gilas cadets escaped with a 66-65 win over the home team. The cadets came prepared this time in the championship, but Thailand started strong, leading most of the way in the first half. In the second half, the GIlas cadets started to pull away but ended the 3rd quarter in the lead by only 5 points.

In the last quarter, it was Mac Belo's 8 point run (with 2 three point shots and a put back) and Jio Jalalon's agressiveness to break the zone defense that prompted the team's breakaway run and never looked back after that.

The title was last won by Singapore in 2014 when Philippines did not participate in the tournament since Manila was the host of the 2014 FIBA Asia Championship and they automatically qualify for the tournament.

With this win, the Philippines does not only stamped its dominance in the region in terms of men's basketball but also qualified the team to the 2016 FIBA Asia challenge, which will serve as the qualifying tournament for the 2017 FIBA Asia Championship which will feature teams from Asia and Oceania.

Congratulations Gilas Cadets!

GILAS PILIPINAS : 2015 FIBA ASIA CHAMPIONSHIP FIRST ROUND SCHEDULE

It is just three days away from the kick off of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in China, which serves as the qualifier for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Gilas Pilipinas will be playing in Group B for the first round, which will be in a single round robin format. Also in the same group are Middle Eastern teams Kuwait and first timer Palestine, and East Asian qualifier Hong Kong. The top 3 teams will advance to the next round and will be joined by the top 3 teams of Group A.

Here is Gilas Pilipinas team as posted in the Sports5 twitter account:

Here is the first round schedule of Gilas Pilipinas in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship! #LabanPilipinas #PUSO pic.twitter.com/N9EOVDJdL7

— Sports5 (@Sports5PH) September 18, 2015

GILAS PILIPINAS : 2015 JONES CUP SCHEDULE

Gilas Pilipinas is currently in Taiwan for the 2015 Jones Cup, after 2 year of absence in the tournament. This will serve as part of their preparation for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship that will take place late September in China.

The team will be missing the services of naturalized player Andray Blatche, who returned to the US to attend to his uncle's funeral and visit his sick mother. On the other hand, this will be the return of Marc Pingris to the team. Jordan Clarkson is also expected to watch the games, hopefully in preparation of him joining the team.

Here is the game schedule as posted in the Twitter account of Sports 5 :

Gilas Pilipinas' complete TV5 schedule for the 2015 Jones Cup campaign! Gilas fever is on! #LabanPilipinas #PUSO pic.twitter.com/eb0t2t8clg

— Sports5 (@Sports5PH) August 27, 2015

GILAS PILIPINAS : JORDAN CLARKSON IS INCLUDED IN THE INITIAL ROSTER FOR FIBA ASIA CHAMPIONSHIP

Jordan Clarkson is indeed included in the initial 24 man roster of Gilas Pilipinas for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship to be help in China next month.

Sports analyst Quinito Henson posted this picture of the initial line up document submitted by Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) to the tournament organizers in his Instagram account :

Official 24-man Philippine basketball team lineup submitted by SBP exec director Sonny Barrios to FIBA Asia last Aug. 20, only players from this lineup may be picked for the final 12-man roster to be submitted by Sept. 8 for the FIBA Asia Championships in Changsha on Sept. 23-Oct. 3 ... the players in the "just-in-case" 24-man list are Andray Blatche, Jimmy Alapag, Gabe Norwood, Sonny Thoss, Calvin Abueva, J. C. Intal, Aldrech Ramos, Marc Pingris, Jayson Castro, Troy Rosario, Matt Ganuelas, Dondon Hontiveros, Gary David, Ranidel de Ocampo, Moala Tautuaa, Asi Taulava, Terrence Romeo, JuneMar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, Paul Lee, Kiefer Ravena, Jordan Clarkson, L.A. Tenorio and Bobby Ray Parks ... all players are Philippine passport holders including Clarkson @draylive @jalapag3 @gnorwood5 @sonny_thoss @8calvinabueva @jcintal7 @aldrech17ramos @jeanmarc15 @jaywill_17 @real_mateo @dhonts7 @gry_dvd20 @teamrdo @agelessasi88 @tbvr07 @saginghilaw15 @ladylassiter13 @lethalweapon03 @kieferravena15 @la_tenorio @ray15parks #LabanPilipinasPuso

A photo posted by Joaquin Henson (@therealdeanquinito) on Aug 24, 2015 at 5:42pm PDT

The line up also includes current Gilas 3.0 recruits Sonny Thoss, Calvin Abueva, JC Intal, Aldrech Ramos, Matt Ganuelas, Marcio Lassiter and Terence Romeo; newly drafted Moala Tautuaa and Troy Rosario; returning veterans Dondon Hontiveros and Asi Taulava, Gilas 2.0 veterans Jimmy Alapag, Marc Pingris, Jayson Castro, Gary David, Ranidel de Ocampo, June Mar Fajardo, Paul Lee and LA Tenorio, amateur standouts Kiefer Ravena and Bobby Ray Parks and naturalized player Andray Blatche,

Fajardo, Tenorio, Lassiter and Lee has not attended any of the practices of Gilas yet and Pingris is expected to return to practice on Wednesday. Surprise names that were included are Ravena and Parks since they were not previously named as part of the pool.

This will give a boost to the Philippines' chances for the championship and eventually, a ticket to the 2016 Rio Olympics. He is still awaiting FIBA's decision on his eligibility.

On the other hand, ABS-CBN was able to get in touch with representatives from the Los Angeles Lakers, Clakson's current club in the NBA. In their article (you read it in full here), it was revealed that the team is aware of this development but cannot give out anymore information on the matter.

Let us all hope that FIBA will confirm Clarkson's eligibility and LA Lakers will allow him to play.

2015 SEABA CHAMPIONSHIP : SCHEDULE OF PILIPINAS - GILAS CADETS

The Gilas Cadets team will be representing the Philippines in the 2015 Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) Championship from April 27 to May 1, 2015 in Singapore. The top 3 teams will qualify for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championships to be held in China later this year.

The Gilas Cadets, formerly known as Sinag Pilipinas, will be composed of the following players:

Marcus Douthit
Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. 
Kiefer Ravena (Ateneo)
Earl Scottie Thompson (Perpetual)
Glenn Khobuntin (NU)
Jeth Troy Rosario (NU)
Almond Vosotros (La Salle)
Norbert Torres (La Salle)
Rey Mark Belo (FEU)
Russel Escoto (FEU)
Jiovani Jalalon (Arellano)
Kevin Ferrer (UST)

Coach Tab Baldwin will be leading the team,

The team is scheduled to play the following games:

• April 27 6pm - vs Indonesia - Live Stats
• April 28 4pm - vs Laos - Live Stats
• April 29 6pm - vs Malaysia - Live Stats
• April 30 6pm - vs Brunei - Live Stats
• May 1 8pm - vs Singapore - Live Stats