JORDAN Heading is another PBA Gilas draftee that takes his chance to showcase his ware in the international stage, debuting with Gilas Pilipinas versus Indonesia in Day 3 of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers at the AUF Gym in Pampanga Friday.
Along with Lebron Lopez and Geo Chiu, the Fil-Australian Heading will be inserted in the Gilas lineup against the Indonesians in lieu of Javi Gomez De Llano, Jaydee Tungcab, and Mike Nieto.
Nieto, Tungcab, Isaac Go and William Navarro, PBA Gilas draftees like Heading, saw action as the Nationals pulled off a come-from-behind 81-78 shocker over South Korea Wednesday.
Gilas coach Tab Baldwin said sitting out Heading Wednesday was an easy decision since the 6-foot-2 guard was still smarting from a hip injury suffered in training inside Inspire Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
Baldwin goes for six bigs and six guards as they battle with the Lester Prosper-led Indonesian side at 6 p.m. Friday, seeking a repeat of their 100-70 conquest in Jakarta in February, 2020.
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Indonesia was without naturalized player Prosper then, and coach Rajko Toroman banked heavily on Andakara Prastawa Dhyaksa who tossed in 28 points in 34 minutes of action.
Gilas' gutsy victory over the Koreans, however, should pump up the Nationals even with Prosper now with the chargers of Toroman, a former PBA coach.
Baldwin was proud of his young crew in their upset of Ra Guna and the Koreans.
"I don't think there's any question that these young guys are going to compete," said Baldwin, who drew superb efforts from basically everyone in his 12-man crew.
"There's always gonna be a question about: Can our talent stand up to the opponent's talent? Or can our lack of experience stand up to the experience of others? But not their heart and not their desire to fight," he added. (SB)
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