Chua makes Gilas roster

Bacolodnon center Justin Chua was named a “shoo-in” for the Philippine men’s national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, expected to compete in the upcoming 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, which begins Sunday, February 23, against Indonesia at the BritAma Arena in Jakarta.
Earlier this month, Ilonggo guard Kiefer Ravena was named Gilas captain for the competition.
“You could name who the shoo-ins will be,” Gilas head coach Mark Dickel hinted after yesterday’s practice at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City. “You bet the players we have in the PBA are gonna play.”
“The Gilas squad will be a mix of youth and experience, and the remaining slots will be given to players [who] the coaches [feel] will compliment the pros,” he added. “We need experience but we also want to give the young guys a go.”
Also making the 12-man roster are Roger Pogoy, Jeth Troy Rosario, John Paul Erram, Jaymar Perez, Javee Mocon, and Abu Tratter.
Meanwhile, Alaska Aces power forward Vic Manuel has yet to show up to practices and Magnolia Hotshots forward Marc Pingris is nursing an injury.
The Philippines was originally scheduled to open the qualifiers against Thailand today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City; however, due to the ongoing threat from the coronavirus disease, or Covid-19, the game was postponed./ASC, WDJ