Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 30) — Gilas Pilipinas has dropped its earlier plan of training in Russia, instead, it is planning to participate in a pocket tournament in Spain ahead of the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) President Al Panlilio said they have submitted the national team’s proposed itinerary to the PBA Board Thursday in a meeting in Quezon City.
The date of the trip has yet to be finalized as it will be determined based on the revision of schedule that will be made by the PBA in the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup.
The SBP initially had Russia in mind as a venue for the national team’s training camp leading up to the World Cup, but the Russian Basketball Federation headed by former NBA player Andrei Kirilenko could only offer just a single tune-up game to Gilas.
The 31st-ranked Philippines is returning to basketball’s biggest stage. It will face 39th-ranked Angola, 13th-ranked Italy, and powerhouse Serbia in Group D of the tournament.
The 2019 World Cup will run from August 31 until September 15 in China.
The pocket tournament will feature the home team, Ivory Coast, and Congo.
CNN Philippines Correspondent Pauline Verzosa contributed to this report.
