Philippines' new generation of stars will be featured at World Cup

MANILA (Philippines) - Philippines head coach Yeng Guiao has opted to feature some of the brightest young stars in Filipino basketball to be part of the national team that will see action at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 later this week.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas made their public announcement of the final roster after the team's second tune-up game against the Adelaide 36ers of Australia's NBL.

With many of the Philippines' iconic and experienced World Cup campaigners like Jayson Castro, Jimmy Alapag and LA Tenorio retired from the international game, coach Yeng chose to pluck from the country's pool of youthful talents to take up Gilas Pilipinas's mantle in Foshan, China, where they will be part of a stacked Group D.

 
Overall, there are five holdovers from the squad that played at the previous World Cup in Spain five years ago. These are Gabe Norwood, Paul Lee, Japeth Aguilar, naturalized player Andray Blatche and five-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo.

Of those who will make their World Cup debuts, the youngest studs are CJ Perez, Robert Bolick and Kiefer Ravena - none of whom is older than 25 years of age. Perez and Bolick are two of the star rookies in the current PBA season, while Ravena was one of the top rookies in the previous season.

 
The other World Cup first-timers include frontliners Raymond Almazan and Troy Rosario together with wingman RR Pogoy and floor general Mark Barroca.

The Philippines will open their World Cup account against Italy on August 31 before taking on Serbia on September 2. They finish group play against Angola on September 4, with all Group D games being held at the Foshan International Sports and Cultural Center.

FIBA