High ceiling, high hopes for Gilas U19

MANILA, Philippines — With twin towers Kai Sotto and AJ Edu at helm, the country troops into the world stage with arguably the tallest and strongest Gilas Pilipinas youth team in history.

That advantage, however, also comes with the huge responsibility of keeping the flag hoisted when the Nationals go up against the world’s best youth teams in the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup later this month in Heraklion, Greece.

No less than Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio has ordered the Filipino teens a tough task in finishing higher than their elder brothers from the Gilas Pilipinas men’s squad who are also set for a battle of their own in the 2019 FIBA World Cup this August in China.

“Your elder brothers are also playing in the men’s World Cup in China this August. The marching order for them is to win two games to move into the next round. SBP Chairman Emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan even ordered them a top 16 finish,” said Panlilio in a sendoff presser for the youth squad yesterday at the Meralco lighthouse.

“But I want this team to set a goal of having a higher finish than your kuyas (elders). Everybody is behind you in that bid. We’re praying for your success.”

Panlilio’s confidence on the Filipino teens roots from the continuous success of the program in the past six years, highlighted by three World Cup appearances in 2014 for the U16 age group, 2018 for U17 and U19 for this year – which he considered as a testimony to the country’s status as a rising youth power.

Making it a more perfect chance to shine for the Nationals is the fact that this will be the Philippines’ return to the U19 World Cup in 40 years since the team led by Hector Calma advanced in the 1979 World Championships in Brazil.

“This is our third World Cup for Gilas youth in six years. We’re very proud that we’re progressing in our program because it’s one of the program that we want to do well.”

With the 7-foot-2 Sotto and 6-foot-10 Edu on board, the Philippine youth team indeed has a very high chance at a better outing than its men’s counterpart.