MELBOURNE, Australia -- Chot Reyes on Wednesday revealed the twelve-man line-up of Gilas Pilipinas that will face the Australian Boomers on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. PHT, in a FIBA World Cup Qualifier game, the first for both teams in the second window of the Qualifiers. Both squads went 2-0 in the first window, with both teams defeating Chinese-Taipei and Japan. Australia is the top-ranked team in the Asian Qualifiers and the tenth-ranked team in the world. Gilas Pilipinas is ranked 31st in the world.
The twelve are Kiefer Ravena, Kevin Alas, Matthew Wright, Roger Pogoy, Allein Maliksi, Gabe Norwood, Calvin Abueva, Carl Bryan Cruz, Abu Tratter, Japeth Aguilar, JuneMar Fajado, and Andray Blatche.
Reyes brought fourteen with to Melbourne. Guards Jayson Castro and Jio Jalalon were left off the final roster.
The matchup is a tough one because the Australians are bigger. Australia features a lineup that is deceptively quick and can play a rough-and-tumble brand of basketball that would really exploit the size advantage. Plus, the game will be played in their home turf, at the famous Margaret Court Arena, with an energetic fan base. All important factors are really in Australia's favor.
But, as they say, the ball is round, anything can happen, and, on a bad day for the Aussies, Gilas Pilipinas could play well enough to get the upset. The Gilas team is talented but it's uncertain if they have had enough time to mesh. Let's examine the line-up.
What jumps out at Philippine basketball fans immediately is the absence of Jayson Castro. Dubbed "Asia's Best Point Guard," he was the brightest star in the first window of the Qualifiers, averaging 20 points per game and adding rebounds, assists, and steals, to help Gilas keep its record unblemished. With scorer supreme Terrence Romeo already out of the roster due to injury, Castro was expected to be the one who is always there to play steady, heady ball, score when necessary, and provide the overall leadership he has with his vast international experience An ankle injury will keep him out. This puts guards Alas and Ravena on the spot. They are inexperienced but are now being thrust into the limelight to deliver in such a grand setting. While both have the mettle and the ability, their ability to withstand significant pressure will be key. Life without Castro is likely to be harsh.
It all starts at the point, and Ravena, despite constant high expectations, has demonstrated a steady, if unspectacular (and certainly less Blur-like), approach to the game. He will draw fouls, orchestrate, and assist. Alas will provide backup and the occasional scoring incursion. Norwood, and sometimes Pogoy, can also bring the ball up when necessary. Hopefully, their defense is adequate enough to bother their bigger opponents and make them work to get to spots and make shots.
There are talented outside shooters. Wright is the main gunner, with Pogoy just a nose behind. Alas and Ravena can keep the defense honest if they knock a couple of long shots down early. It's a must that the outside shooting clicks, again due to the hulking Boomer squad. Maliksi and Cruz should also get their chances when fielded in. Gilas faithful can only hope some, if not all, shoot their arrows straight and scorch the nets all game-long. There are enough potential shooters to open it up. They just need to hit the shots consistently.
The frontline, which will be hard-pressed all game long, has some veterans. Blatche is in better shape than in the first window and has vowed to play better, score more, and be a presence in the middle. His production has to be significant in several categories and he must stay out of foul trouble. Fajardo has had trouble against bigger teams in the past; hopefully, he has learned to adjust his range and his moves because they will throw their biggest guys against him every time he gets the ball. He has shown the ability to play well off the ball and from the weak-side, in tandem with Blatche.
Aguilar will try to outrun defenders down the floor and get baskets in transition, and maybe get free backdoor for some easy shots. His quickness and leaping ability can be weapons as he goes for offensive rebounds and stays active looking for the ball. Abueva and Cruz provide a physical presence but are not tall enough to guard the Australian big men down low. The Boomers play a very physical brand of ball, so the Gilas front-liners must keep their cool and just keep on playing, draw fouls, and hit free throws.
The shocker name in the list is Tratter. He is the only one from the "23 for 23" players brought to Melbourne, which was already a surprise, and his selection for this game is an even bigger one. Reyes said he likes Tratter's size and athleticism. If Tratter does get some time, he may be overwhelmed and jittery, considering this would be his first stint at this level. He will acquire invaluable experience though, which would serve him well as he trains with the other younger players for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
The defensive switching will have to be on point as the Aussies love to set screens to free up their shooters. Norwood's usual resistance must be at its usual level, if not higher. There can be no backing down by the Gilas Pilipinas players.