6’10” Ethan Kirkness won’t play in SEABA U-16 but still committed to Batang Gilas

May 5, 2017 - 7:24 PM
5609

Promising Fil-Australian player Ethan Kirkness remains committed to the Philippine national youth basketball team program despite not being included in its lineup for the SEABA Under-16 Championship next week.

The 6-foot-10 Kirkness skipped the opportunity of playing for Batang Gilas this month to concentrate on his career in the United States where he received a scholarship.

“He got an offer to play in the United States, kaya siya andon, but he remained committed to Batang Gilas,” Batang Gilas team manager Andrew Teh told InterAksyon.

“Of course, malabo na siya ngayon sa SEABA Under-16 and even if we make it to the FIBA Asia Under-16 Championship, I don’t think he will be allowed to participate kasi kalilipat niya pa lang.

“But in the future, for example we make it to the FIBA World Under-17 next year, then baka puwede siyang maglaro. Anyway, he’s only 15 years old and can still represent the country until he’s 18.”

Kirkness pursuing a career in the United States will help Batang Gilas in the long run, according to Teh.

“Definitely mas gagaling pa siya kapag naglaro sa US and this will benefit not only him, but the national team program. Once he plays for the national team, he’ll be a better player,” added Teh.

Kirkness visited the country a few months ago to reaffirm his commitment to the national team. He was given a warm welcome and in fact received a pair of shoes from no less than PBA superstar June Mar Fajardo.

Final 12

With Kirkness not joining Batang Gilas at this time, the team will miss a chance of having a twin-tower combination.

Instead, the 6-foot-11 Kai Sotto will lead the frontline, teaming up with Bismark Lina, a 6-foot-5 solid inside player from University of Santo Tomas.

The other frontliners of Batang Gilas include 6-foot-7 Sean Chiu of PACE, 6-foot-6 Raven Cortez of La Salle-Zobel and 6-foot-3 Miguel Tan of Xavier School.

But Batang Gilas’ bulk of production is expected to come from the backcourt led by co-captains Rence Padrigao of Ateneo and Migs Pascual of San Beda, Terrence Fortea of National University and RC Calimag of San Beda.

Other players selected in the final 12 are Rafael Go of Chiang Kai Shek, Mclaude Guadana of Lyceum, and Rafael Lazaro of San Beda.