SEDRICK Barefield is in line to become a member of Gilas Pilipinas in the 20th Asian Games after being called up to be part of the pool that has been training for weeks now for the team’s title defense in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The Blackwater guard got the Gilas call-up while in the middle of his impressive showing in the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup where he is averaging 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.5 steals.
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Barefield also averaged 21.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 0.3 steals during the Commissioner's Cup, and 19.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 0.4 steals in the Philippine Cup for the 50th Season.
“I like to congratulate him na napili siya,” Blackwater coach Pat Aquino told SPIN.ph. “Sabi ko nga, you have to do your best and you have to show them you deserve to be there. Hindi naman basta palakasan lang ‘yan. Hindi naman basta nakaka-score ka. You’ve got to know both ways."
Aquino is counting on Barefield to seize the Gilas chance and prove that he belongs among the PBA elite, especially at this point of his career where he is in the final year of his current contract with the Bossing.
“We talked about it, sabi ko you’ve been here for almost three years already, final year of the contract also. So I guess, it’s about time to show them that you have to be very consistent with your game.
“I know you have that kind of game that can be one of the best here in the PBA. The significant thing now is that he’s been playing on both ends already, not just offensively but defensively also. Nagba-buy in siya with what the team is doing and what the team expects from him,” Aquino said.
Aquino said the Gilas call-up will surely benefit Blackwater when the 50th Season Governors’ Cup resumes after the Asian Games.
The Bossing are in contention for a quarterfinal spot in the Governors’ Cup, being in fourth place in Group B with a 3-3 win-loss record. The top four teams in the two groups advance to the knockout rounds.
“I’m very, very happy and sabi ko nga, ‘yung ngayon na call-up sa national team, very, very positive ‘yan for you and at the end of the day, you know hindi lang naman kami ang magbe-benefit diyan. It’s for you especially [since] your contract is ending also.
"So both ways, management is very happy. And sana tuluy-tuloy lang, just be consistent. You are the leader of the team. Kung saan pupunta, susunod ‘yung team na ito so it’s up to you to lead the team,” Aquino said.
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