Gilas cadets vow to make up for painful Korea loss with SEAG gold

MANILA, Philippines – The Gilas cadet team leaves for Kuala Lumpur at noon Friday, determined to make the country proud in the Southeast Asian Games, and make up for Gilas Pilipinas’ shattering defeat at the hands of Korea in the FIBA Asia Cup in Beirut Wednesday night.

To atone for the Korean massacre ironically became the overriding theme in the sendoff ceremony at the Shangri-La EDSA Thursday hosted by sponsor Chooks-to-Go for the Gilas cadets led by SEAG veterans Kiefer Ravena, Baser Amer and Troy Rosario.

“We all know what happened last night. We want to make up for our ‘kuyas.’ We want the nation to be happy,” said Amer.

“Kailangan namin isapuso ang SEA Games. Kailangan namin bumawi para sa mga kuya namin (We have to take to heart this SEA Games campaign. We have to make up for our Gilas big brothers),” said Ravena.

The Gilas cadets are confident they can get their SEAG campaign to a good start versus Thailand on Sunday though they’re likely to play with a mere 10-man lineup.

“I think the team is ready to come out and battle even with Christian Standhardinger and Carl Bryan Cruz are still in Beirut. I’m positive we’ll have a fruitful campaign in Kuala Lumpur,” said Rosario.

Ravena, Amer and Rosario will be the lead guns of coach Jong Uichico in the Gilas cadet team that will also include Bobby Ray Parks, Kobe Paras, Kevin Ferrer, Chris Tolomia, Almond Vosotros, Von Pessumal and Raymar Jose.

Mac Belo could be a possible last-minute replacement to Cruz if the organizers allow it.

Uichico felt the pressure for his team has grown bigger on Gilas’ painful loss to Korea.

He pointed to Thailand as a big threat but nonetheless expressed high hopes especially with former Thai coach Tim Lewis on their side.

“He has helped us a lot in terms of (scouting reports) on the Thai players,” said Uichico.

“Thailand will No. 1 (threat) because of their nucleus, and they have now got a naturalized player (in Tyler Lamb),” Uichico added.

Lamb is a 6-foot-5 combo player who played college ball at UCLA and then with Long Beach State.

The Philippines and Thailand clash in group play on Sunday with Standhardinger and Cruz most possibly still in Beirut.

“They can leave ahead now that Gilas is relegated to the classification round. But it’s all up to coach Chot (Reyes),” said Uichico.

Also in their group are Malaysia and Myanmar. In the other bracket are Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia.