The national team is dealing with wave after wave of adversity, it seems.
Gilas Pilipinas can’t seem to catch a break.
Already dealing with uncertainties surrounding Kai Sotto and still waiting for Jordan Clarkson’s much-awaited arrival, Gilas is down one more man as it starts the pocket tournament in China as part of its preparations for the FIBA World Cup.
According to a report on the PBA website, Poy Erram is nursing a knee issue and is up for further evaluation. The center did not join the team’s trip to China.
Erram’s absence leaves big man duties to Gilas mainstays June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar, both of whom are still working their way back from knee injuries, and young AJ Edu, who did not play in any of the team’s games in Europe.
Gilas will first play Iran on Thursday at the Jiangman En Ping Sports Gymnasium as part of the pocket tilt. It will next play African powerhouse Senegal on Friday at the same venue. The national team, which is also without the injured Scottie Thompson and naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame, will take Saturday off before taking on Senegal and Iran again on back-to-back days, this time at the Heyuan Sports Gymnasium and Xiaoqing Sport Center, respectively.
Making the trip to China for this important pocket tourney are Fajardo, Aguilar, and Edu, along with Cjay Perez, Dwight Ramos, Chris Newsome, Kiefer Ravena, Rhenz Abando, RR Pogoy, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Thirdy Ravena, Calvin Oftana, and Rhenz Abando.
(With reports from Carlo Pamintuan, One Sports)
(Editor’s note: This article has been updated as of August 2, 2023, 9:53 p.m., to reflect that Erram is not with the team in China.)
(GM)