Jordan Heading, Ange Kouame raring to lead new era for Gilas Pilipinas

Expect nothing but display of grit when Jordan Heading and Angelo Kouame headline Gilas Pilipinas in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Heading, who donned the national colors a decade ago as part of the youth national team who competed in the FIBA Asia Under-16 Championship in 2011, said he's all prepped to lead the nationals starting this Wednesday.

In fact, the 6-foot-2 combo guard is tipped to render heavy minutes especially with the untimely absence of key playmakers Matt Nieto (broken left hand) and Rey Suerte (sprained ankle), who both sustained injuries.

“I don’t think any conversation really had to be had. I think we all just knew right away that as soon as anyone from our team gets injured, whether it’s our captain, Rey, or anyone of us, you know, we have that ‘next man up’ mentality," Heading, one of this year's Gilas special draftees, said.

"All our guys are ready to do the jobs that are asked of them and the jobs that are needed to be done."

Koaume shared the sentiment, saying he's just grateful that he is finally suiting up for the nationals after a lengthy and tedious naturalization process that he went through.

And it just so happens that his first litmus test will be against a team that the Philippines has a lot of history with--South Korea.

According to the Ivorian-born big man, he heard stories from the past about the bittersweet rivalry of the Filipinos and the Koreans and that he's embraced his role and the responsibilities that come with it.

"It feels good, actually. I’ve been waiting for that (suiting up for the national team) for so long and now it’s happening so I’m really excited," said Kouame, who's also the go-to big man of Ateneo in UAAP.

"I heard a lot of stories (of the Philippine-Korea rivalry). They actually told me they were here when the Philippines won at home and it was really a great thing for people, especially for the organization."

The two will team up with youth standouts like Dwight Ramos, Javi Gomez de Liano, and newly-assigned team captain Isaac Go. Meanwhile, Kai Sotto, who joins them inside the Quest Hotel, is still being monitored first before enlisting him in the 12-man lineup.

After facing South Korea on Wednesday, the Filipinos take on Indonesia on the 19th and Korea again on the 20th.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News