MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas’ Andray Blatche era is over as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas starts its journey towards the 2023 FIBA World Cup by fielding a “hybrid team” in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers starting next month. He anchored Gilas’ climb in the international stage highlighted by a second-place finish in the 2015 Changsha Asian meet and back-to-back appearances in the FIBA World Cup. Earlier this week, the SBP has added Ateneo stalwart Thirdy Ravena and UP’s two-way player Jaydee Tungcab in the Gilas cadet pool. Six games in three windows over a 12-month period are scheduled for the Philippines in Group A of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers. Eliminations for the FIBA Asia Cup started in February last year with sub-zone pre-qualifiers involving 15 teams.

Source: Philippine Star January 02, 2020 15:56 UTC