Gilas squad all set for FIBA U16 tilt

MANILA, Philippines — The Gilas Pilipinas youth team ushers in a new squad in its return to international competition with hopes of following up the success of its golden era led then by Kai Sotto.

With NBA Draft hopeful Sotto and company already graduating from the program years ago, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas over the weekend unveiled a new roster for the FIBA Asia U-16 Championship on June 12-19 in Doha, Qatar.

New Gilas recruit Caelum Harris from Nashville, Tennessee and second-generation player Dwyne Miranda, son of PBA stalwart Denok, banner the new Gilas youth team after a series of national tryouts since April.

Also in the squad are Lebron Nieto, Kristian Porter, Alex Konov, Basti Reyes, Zain Mahmood, Jayden Jones, Renzo Competente, Elijah Yusi, Andy Gemao, Santi Romero, CJ Amos, Iñigo Torres, Veejay Pre and Jacob Bayla.

Josh Reyes will serve as the Gilas youth head coach, marking his return to the program that he steered to the FIBA U19 World Cup in 2019 after a fourth-place finish in the FIBA Asia U18 Championship with the 7-foot-3 Sotto then at helm.

Gilas youth will be up against Japan and Kuwait in Group C of the Asian tilt that is making a comeback after years of hiatus due to the pandemic.

FIBA last held a U16 event back in 2017 in China, where the Sotto-led Gilas finished fourth to also make it to the FIBA U17 World Cup.