MANILA – Negrense cagers Raul Soyud of the NLEX Road Warriors and Justin Chua of the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters are gearing up for the bubble training of Gilas Pilipinas.
This was in preparation for the 2021 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup qualifier slated next month.
In an interview with Spin.ph, Gilas team manager Gabby Cui said the Bago City, Negros Occidental-native Soyud will join the national team training pool inside the Calamba bubble at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna on Friday.
The inclusion of the 30-year-old Soyud did not come as a surprise following his solid showing for the Road Warriors in the 2020 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup where he averaged 10.0 points and 6.8 rebounds.
The effort of the six-foot-six Negrense allowed him to obtain a spot in the season’s Most Improved Player (MIP) award and secure a two-year contract extension with the Road Warriors.
Meanwhile, the Bacolod City-native Chua, who placed runner up to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings’ Prince Caperal in the MIP award race, has entered the bubble since last week.
Chua, who is also looking for a contract extension with the Fuel Masters, was coming off a career season during the PBA Philippine Cup where he averaged 11.7 rebounds, 6.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.6 blocks.
This was the second national men’s basketball team call up for the 31-year-old Chua after suiting up for Gilas in their 100-70 whipping of Indonesia, where he scored six points and three rebounds.
Other PBA players in the bubble were Ilonggo Kiefer Ravena of the Road Warriors and Jaymar Perez of TerraFirma Dyip. TNT Tropang Giga’s Roger Pogoy and Jeth Troy Rosario will join Soyud and three other unnamed PBA players on Friday.
Other players in the Gilas pool inside the bubble were Isaac Go, Matt Nieto, Mike Nieto, Rey Suerte, Javi Gomez de Liano, Dave Ildefonso, Justine Baltazar, Calvin Oftana, William Navarro, Kenmark Carino, and Angelo Kouame.
The Gilas Pilipinas currently has a 3-0 win-loss record after winning over Indonesia last February and against Thailand twice in November. They only need a win to formalize their entry to the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon./PN
