Only Six PBA Players Enter Gilas Calamba Bubble: The Positive Side

Kiefer Ravena, CJ Perez, RR Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Justin Chua, and Raul Soyud.

Those are the six Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) players that are expected to compete for a Gilas Pilipinas roster spot that will compete in the third window of the 2021 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup qualifiers bubble in Clark next month. Gilas Pilipinas, headed by Coach Jong Uichico, is now inside the Calamba training bubble in preparation for the said window, and as Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Special Assistant to the President, Ryan Gregorio said, "As we speak now, there are no other PBA players expected to enter,"

While it may be disappointing that only six professional players are inside the Calamba bubble, four of the mentioned names are considered as veterans when it comes to carrying the flag in international competitions while the latter two are coming off impressive run inside the PBA bubble last year. But more than the experience of the PBA players that can help the young core of the Gilas program, this number of PBA players inside the Calamba bubble and eventually in the Clark bubble, will allow the young players such as Dwight Ramos, Isaac Go, Mike, and Matt Nieto, Juan and Javi Gomez de Liano, Justin Baltazar, among other amateur players to gain more experience in playing against some of our fiercest foes in the form if South Korea and Indonesia. That is going to keep up with the program's goal to develop the best-talented team that will compete in the 2023 FIBA World Cup in which the Philippines is one of the hosts. 

Also, Kai Sotto is set to fly back home to join the Calamba bubble too so that will add both the height and the depth in the frontline that Gilas side will need especially against Korea whom the Filipinos will face twice in Clark. If the 18-year old prodigy does make it to the final roster, that will also help both Sotto and the program as it will be the next step of Kai Sotto being integrated into the men's team.

In the end, Ryan Gregorio who is also the alternate governor of the Meralco Bolts in the PBA, said, "I am very satisfied with the progress of the program. Coach Tab (Baldwin) has done a tremendous job laying down a solid foundation to ensure the development, in the short-term, medium-term, and all the way to 2023, of our players individually and as a team. Coach Jong and all the coaches have exhibited incredible commitment in making sure that the plan is implemented to its tiniest detail,"

Indeed, it's all about the future.  

Photo is from FIBA