FORMER NBA forward JaKarr Sampson will lead Bahrain against Gilas Pilipinas in their Asian Games opener on September 11, as the Philippines begins its title defense without naturalized star Justin Brownlee.
Sampson, a naturalized resident player for Bahrain, brings NBA experience to the matchup after playing for five teams in the league that includes Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers.
Gilas, meanwhile, enters the tournament after suffering back-to-back losses to South Korea in its final tune-up games, adding to the challenges facing the defending Asian Games champions.
The Philippines was also unable to have Brownlee available during those preparations, and the naturalized forward remains in the United States recovering from injuries.
Calvin Oftana will take Brownlee’s spot for Gilas.
Without Brownlee, Gilas will have to rely on its all-Filipino core as it looks to immediately bounce back from its difficult tune-up results and open the Asian Games with a victory.
Gilas will face Bahrain at 12 noon on September 11, Friday, in Philippine time.
The Philippines will then take on Kazakhstan at 6pm on September 12 before closing the Group C preliminary round against China at 12 noon on September 14.
With Sampson providing Bahrain with a former NBA presence and Brownlee unavailable for Gilas, the opening game could immediately test the Philippines’ depth and ability to adjust without its naturalized centerpiece.
Gilas Pilipinas is seeking to defend the gold medal it won in the previous Asian Games, but it will begin that campaign facing a formidable Bahrain side and looking to erase the setbacks from its final tune-up games. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
