Gilas Pilipinas can't defend its Jones Cup title due to Philippines-Taiwan tensions?

Philippine national men’s basketball coach Chot Reyes is worried about the squad’s possible stint in the William Jones Cup in Taipei amid rising tensions between Taiwan and the Philippines.

The SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team is the defending champion of the annual Taiwan tournament, which is crucial for the buildup for the FIBA Asia Championship in August.

Last year, led by tournament Most Valuable Player LA Tenorio, the Philippines won the Jones Cup for the first time in 14 years.

Tensions between the Philippines and Taiwan rose after the Philippine Coast Guard fatally shot a Taiwanese fisherman in the Balintang Channel in northern Philippines.

Several incidents of attacks on Filipino workers by Taiwanese locals have been reported.

According to Reyes, Jones Cup organizers have not given the national team any advise, although they are in regular communication with sources.

Reyes said the Jones Cup was crucial for Gilas because it would serve as the squad’s final tuneup before the Asian championship. He said the team would still be looking for options should it not be invited for the Jones Cup.

article source: interaksyon.com

For More Personal Updates Follow Me on TWITTER or Like My Page on FACEBOOK
You Can Also CONTACT ME HERE.
...