Belo taking over from Cruz for Gilas in SEAG
Mac Belo in action for Gilas Pilipinas in this FIBA.com file photo.
MANILA, Philippines – Mac Belo will take the place of Carl Bryan Cruz in the Gilas cadet team to the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, if the organizers allow it.
Belo, originally eyed for the Gilas team to the FIBA Asia Cup, will be with the cadet squad flying to the Malaysia capital at noon Friday.
“We’ll make a request,” said coach Jong Uichico on their plan to try to insert Belo in the Philippine lineup during the team managers meeting on the eve of the SEAG basketball competition on Saturday.
“He’s supposed to be in the Gilas lineup for the Asia Cup but he got injured,” Uichico also said. “I don’t think he’s 100 percent now but he’s better than what he’s during the Jones Cup.”
If their request is approved, Cruz will be able to rest after their Asia Cup stint.
If ever, only Fil-German forward Christian Standhardinger will continue to play from the Asia Cup to the SEA Games.
But Standhardinger will be flying to Kuala Lumpur a little late and will likely miss the team’s opening game against Thailand on Sunday.
The others in the Gilas SEAG team are Kiefer Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks, Kobe Paras, Troy Rosario, Baser Amer, Kevin Ferrer, Chris Tolomia, Almond Vosotros, Von Pessumal and Raymar Jose.
The Gilas cadets have played four tune-up matches versus Ateneo, FEU, Adamson and NU in the homestretch of their buildup for the KL Games.
“We still have a lot to work on. Generally, we’re not yet 100 percent but we’ll get there,” said Uichico.
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