Gilas Pilipinas to play Chiu, Heading, Lopez for Indonesia clash

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Gilas Pilipinas will parade Geo Chiu, Jordan Heading, and Lebron Lopez in its upcoming battle against Indonesia in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers third window on Friday in Pampanga here.

The three roster changes were made after the Philippines won over Korea, 81-78 on Wednesday.

It will be a first look for the three cadets while William Navarro, Mike Nieto, and Jaydee Tungcab take a break.

Navarro will sit in the place of Javi Gomez de Liaño, who has been reactivated for the game.

It will be the Gilas men’s seniors debut for Heading, who played for the U16 team 10 years ago.

The sharpshooter played for Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League.

The 6-foot-9 Chiu is expected to give head coach Tab Baldwin more depth and variety in their frontcourt rotation.

The 6-foot-5 Lopez is a teenage prospect playing for Ateneo high school who is known to be a good player on both ends of the floor.

Other holdovers from the Korea match are Kai Sotto, Ange Kouame, Dwight Ramos, Justin Baltazar, SJ Belangel, RJ Abarrientos, Carl Tamayo, and Isaac Go.

Gilas’ win over its arch-nemesis enabled the team to qualify for the FIBA Asia Cup proper which Indonesia is hosting in August.

While already non-bearing games, Gilas’ remaining schedule is an ideal opportunity to get players accustomed to the system even more as they prepare for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia later this month.

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Levi Joshua Jr Verora

Levi Joshua Jr. Verora is a sportswriter, announcer, and commentator in the Philippines. He has covered national and international events like the FIBA Olympic and World Cup Qualifiers, AmeriCup, Asia Cup, and 3x3, Asian Volleyball Championship, ASEAN Basketball League, Southeast Asian Games, and AFF Championship. Nowadays, you'll hear his voice in the Philippines Football League and other local sports leagues.

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