Batang GIlas U-18 Team: What To Watch Out For

In less than two weeks, we will once again be treated to a display of basketball prowess from some of the finest players in Asia, this time in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

This is the 25th staging of the FIBA Asia Under-18 Junior Men's Championship and Batang Gilas  are out to solidify their newfound hold at the top of the rankings.

Here are three story arcs to watch out for:

Story #1 The Next Big Things
Wunderkind Kai Sotto has just come from putting on a display at the FIBA Under-17 World Championships and dominating the FIBA Asia Under-16 competitions. He now takes on players about 2 years his senior (a significant amount of time, in basketball terms) with the hopes of proving that he belongs with the big boys.



We last saw AJ Edu at the FIBA Under-18 3x3 competitions and he showed much of the raw athletic ability that made him such a tantalizing prospect. Since then, he's made news by commintting to the University of Toledo, an NCAA Division I school and reaafirming his commitment to the Philippine national team program. These next few games will serve as a pretty good barometer on how much the young Edu has improved since 2017.

Story #2 The Roman Guard
The six foot point guard from Rome comes with sterling credentials, including playing in the youth division of the Euroleague. While possessing good size for a point guard, he really wasn't a favorite to win a spot on the team, given that Batang Gilas U-16 stalwarts Rence Padrigao and Terence Fortea were also in the mix. But lo and behold, Panopio has not only managed to make the final twelve but now also seems to be a lock to be the starting point guard for Batang Gilas.

From film clips, Panopio seems to be a speedy guard with good handles and a decent outside shot. His moves to the basket have a Johnny Abarrientos-feel to them-powerful, stealthy, and deceptively quick. It should eb interesting to see how he responds to the Asian level of competition.

Story #3 Shooting Bigs
Ten years ago, both Gerry Abadiano and Dave Ildefonso would have been centers. Hell, five years ago, they would have been forwards...for the senior Gilas team. But this the new Batang Gilas, with a wealth of 16 year olds standing 6'7" and up. And so Abadiano and Ildefonso get to do what they've always been meant to do....light it up from the outside.

Abadiano had a great tournament in the Under 17 World Championships while Ildefonso is coming off a brilliant season for the Blue Eaglets. Both are fantastic shooters and daring slashers and they have the size to go toe-to-toe with the best the region can offer.

I, for one, am very excited to watch our boys play. It'd be great to see just how well Batang Gilas stacks up against the likes of Australia, New Zealand, Iran, and China.