RHAYYAN Amsali couldn't be more thankful to get another opportunity to represent the country, this time with Gilas Pilipinas Youth team which will see action in the 2019 Fiba Under-19 World Cup later this month.
"Sobrang saya kasi nakasali na naman ako sa ganitong team, so syempre ready ako para sa country parati at proud talaga ako kasi nakuha ako sa team na ito," he said.
Amsali last represented the country in the 2019 Fiba 3x3 Asia Cup, where the Philippines failed to progress past the group stages.
He has also been with the youth team before, suiting up in the 2018 Fiba Under-19 Asian Championship, as well as in the 2015 SEABA Under-16 Championship squad.
Being a frequent national youth team member has allowed Amsali to get a first-hand look at how tough the competition is overseas.
That's why even though the Philippines is heading to battle as massive underdogs, the San Beda Red Cub knows that the key, not just him but for the whole team, is to maintain their belief that they can compete and do belong with some of the world's best teen ballers.
"Hindi namin kilala yung kalaban namin sa ibang bansa kaya parang may kaba pa rin ng konti. Pero alam naman namin sa sarili namin na kumpleto kami ngayon, kaya dapat yung kumpyansa namin, hindi mawawala," said the 6-foot-4 winger.
"Basta para sa bayan, kayang kaya."
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
