Jacob Lacson lone Cebuano picked for Gilas Pilipinas U18

CEBU, Philippines — Former Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles big man Jacob Lacson has secured a spot on the final 12-man Gilas Pilipinas U18 lineup for the FIBA U18 Asia Cup in Ahmedabad, India.

The 6-foot-7, 18-year-old Lacson became the lone player from Cebu to make the final cut. His teammates, Kent Lian Basa and Jibson Gaviola, failed to make the final lineup.

Basa earlier withdrew his participation with the Batang Gilas to play for the SHS-AdC Magis Eagles in the Palarong Pambansa, while Gaviola didn’t make the final cut.

What made it puzzling was UAAP high school standout Nickson Cabañero and rising prospect Josef Calo-oy, both from Cebu also didn’t make the final cut.

However, there is no information on why they didn’t make it into the official roster.

Still, the Gilas U18 team is a solid squad composed of the highly-popular Chog Moral along with Patrick Pasinos, Ethan Aguas, JB Cagurungan, Prince Carino, Andrew Chio, Bruce Tubongbanua, Luke Atacador, Elias Gish, Aidan Dayco-Green and Sizco Roquid.

The FIBA U18 Asia Cup is scheduled from Aug. 13 to 23, with the Philippines drawn in Group A alongside defending champion Australia, Chinese Taipei and Thailand.

The Philippines opened its campaign against Chinese Taipei on Aug. 13.

According to FIBA records, the Philippines and Chinese Taipei had split their previous six meetings in the U18 Asia Cup, with each team winning three games. Their latest encounter was therefore a chance for one side to break the deadlock.

The top four teams in the tournament will qualify for the 2027 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in Czechia, giving the Philippines an opportunity to return to the global youth basketball stage.

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