Kai Sotto, Carl Tamayo, Gerry Abadiano, and AJ Edu headline the 20-man Batang Gilas pool for the upcoming 2018 FIBA U18 Asian Championship in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
The tournament, which will be held from August 5-11, is a qualifier for the 2019 FIBA U19 World Championship. Sixteen countries, including the Philippines, will battle it out with only the top four teams will get to represent FIBA Asia on the world stage.
Sotto, Tamayo, and Abadiano, will be joined by select members from the team that recently competed in the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup in Argentina. Yukien Andrada, RC Calimag, Geo Chiu, Raven Cortez, Terrence Fortea, Joshua Lazaro, Bismarck Lina, and Forthsky Padrigao. That contigent finished in 13th place, winning their last two games against Egypt and New Zealand.
Joining them will be Rhayyan Amsali of San Beda, Nathan Chan of Xavier school, Dave Ildefonso and Migeul Oczon of NU, Ramon Marzan of UST, Joshua Ramirez, and Xyrus Torres of FEU. Completing the pool are Dalph Panopio from Rome, Italy and Filipino Nigerian AJ Edu.
Batang Gilas is under Group B of the tournament with China, Lebanon, and United Arab Emirates.