Abando willing to play any role for Gilas

FORMER Letran star Rhenz Abando made the country proud after playing a key role in Anyang KGC’s championship run in the Korean Basketball League last May.

The championship marked his second with Anyang since helping the Korean club team capture the East Asia Super League Champions Week title last March.

With the experiences gained in Korea, the former NCAA men’s basketball Season 97 Rookie-Most Valuable Player will be shifting into high gear as he tries to earn a crack at the Gilas Pilipinas final 12.

Rhenz Abando FIBA PHOTO 

Currently, Gilas is locked in at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna as part of the national squad’s preparation for the 2023 FIBA World Cup set to start on August 25.

The high-flying Abando reached star status as an Asian import in Korea, but was quick to admit that given the chance to represent the Philippines once again, he’s willing to play any role given to him by coach Chot Reyes.

“I know I still have a lot to work on my defense, but whatever coach (Chot Reyes) wants me to do, that’s what I’m going to do,” Abando said in Filipino during his recent interview on Playitright TV.

Abando, who also won the KBL’s 2023 Slam Dunk and 3×3 titles, admitted he’s also excited to learn as much as he can from his basketball idols Kiefer Ravena and Scottie Thompson, the PBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player.

“I really like the (basketball) IQ of Manong (Ravena’s nickname) and the moves of Kuya Scottie because he really works hard inside the court, he hustles a lot,” shared Abando, who concluded his collegiate career with an NCAA men’s basketball championship with Letran in 2021.

Gilas is scheduled to leave late this week for Europe to embark on a series of tuneup matches against Estonia, Latvia, Finland and Lithuania. The Philippine team will also be joining a pocket tournament in China.

The Philippines opens the group stage match against Dominican Republic on August 25 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.