Chot conjures visions of ’23 squad

GENEVA – Gilas head coach and TV5 CEO Chot Reyes said yesterday the Philippine team to play at the 2023 FIBA World Cup will likely be led by Kiefer Ravena, Terrence Romeo and R. R. Pogoy.

Reyes said the pool of talent will be deep to include current college stars Ricci Rivero, Isaac Go, C. J Perez, Robert Bolick, Thirdy Ravena, Abu Tratter, Kobe Paras, Dodong Santillan and Andrei Caracut. A candidate for naturalized import is 7-1 Zeke Austin who played for Chooks To Go at the FIBA Asia Champions Cup in Chenzhou last September.

Reyes said Austin will be 30 six years from now and at the peak of his career. So will Ravena. Romeo and Pogoy will be 31. Paras will only be 26. Kai Sotto, the 7-1 wunderkind, will be 21.

“As early as now, Kai, Raven Cortez and A. J. Edu should get more experience with Gilas so when they turn 20 or 21, they’ll be ready to play at the highest Asian Cup level,” said Reyes who joined the Philippine delegation to witness the awarding of hosting rights for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. “It’s difficult for schools to allow their varsity players to represent our country if the college season is in progress. It’s the same thing with pro clubs.”

Reyes said Rep. Pia Cayetano is in the process of filing a bill that will prevent any school or club to restrict a player from answering the call to play for the country in international competitions. Cayetano said the bill is due to be discussed in the House early next year. If it’s passed, colleges may be forced to reschedule their seasons to avoid conflict with international commitments.

Reyes said he has reached out to Tratter, a La Salle power forward who has finished his UAAP eligibility, to join Gilas. Tratter, whose mother is Filipina and father is American, was born in Laguna so he’ll be allowed by FIBA to play as a local. Three other La Salle players in his sights are Rivero, Santillan and Caracut. “There’s no question Ricci is one of the best players out there,” said Reyes. “I also like Santillan’s smarts and size. Caracut is one of the best point guards in the UAAP. I’d encourage him to shoot more instead of just playing defense and bringing up the ball. He has a lot of potential.”

As for a naturalized player, Reyes said it would be helpful to assemble a pool of at least four. Japan, for instance, has four naturalized players in its ranks. Two of them are J. R. Henderson (Sakuragi) and Ira Brown. “I hope FIBA understands that under our laws, a Fil-foreigner enjoys the rights of any Filipino citizen, including the right to play for our country in a sports competition,” he said. “While we respect FIBA’s rule that a dual citizen must have been issued the passport of the country he chooses to play for before turning 16, what about the rights of Filipino passport holders who are actually part Filipino by blood?” Reyes said if FIBA recognizes Philippine law, players like Jordan Clarkson, Stanley Pringle and Chris Newsome would be invited to play for Gilas at the drop of a hat. SBP legal counsel Aga Francisco was recently appointed vice chairman of the FIBA Legal Commission and might be able to open discussions on the matter with FIBA eligibility officials.

Reyes said even before he dreams about a 2023 lineup, he has to form another 24-man pool for the second Asia/Pacific qualifying window leading to the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China. That promises to be a struggle because by then, the PBA season will have started.