Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 26) – Gilas Pilipinas mentor Chot Reyes is expecting guards Dwight Ramos and Thirdy Ravena to step up as the new leaders of the national team ahead of their 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup stint.
“We’re slowly transferring that mantle of leadership from the Gilas players of the past to these two guys now, because like I said, this is a longer program. We’re preparing for next year and beyond. Dwight is 24, Thirdy is 25, so this is part of their maturation as leaders and that’s what we’re looking at for both of them,” Reyes said after their 88-64 victory over India in the Asian qualifiers game held on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
RELATED: Ramos carries Gilas to beat India in 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers
The two products of the Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles became the top scorers for Gilas with Ramos scoring 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting and Ravena adding 15 markers.
Reyes, who’s coaching Ramos and Ravena for the first time in the ongoing Asian qualifiers, said the two cagers are pegged not just to be the main scoring contributors for the national team but also be the cornerstones of the squad’s future.
“We never go out and consciously look to score we run our stuff and we take advantage of opportunities but what we’re looking for with Dwight and Thirdy is not to lead the team in scoring but to lead the team so we are really looking at them to be the leaders of this team,” said Reyes.
Ramos and Ravena are part of Reyes’ 23-for-2023 lineup formed in 2018, where then college stars were groomed to be the future of Gilas as they are geared towards preparing for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the country.
Aside from Ramos and Ravena, also part of the 23-for-2023 lineup that is listed in the 15-man pool for the ongoing Asian qualifiers campaign are fellow B.League player Juan Gomez De Liano and NorthPort Batang Pier star guard Robert Bolick.
The Gilas head coach said he is happy to see some players from the 23-for-2023 lineup to be included in the roster for the qualifying games.
“I think the lesson that we learned as a team, and I guess a lot of our fellow Filipinos can learn that lesson, is just to continually be prepared and be ready. Whatever that you’re doing, whether it’s basketball or sports or anything in life, at work or whatever, just continuously keep yourself ready because you never can tell,” Reyes reflected on his return stint as Gilas coach.
Gilas, which holds a 2-0 slate, will have a tough task on their next assignment on Sunday as they will face fellow unbeaten New Zealand Tall Blacks.
