PBA releases 17 players for Gilas pool

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

The Philippine Basketball Association has offered its best players for next year’s Olympic qualifier.

PBA chair Robert Non backed initial statements about the PBA’s commitment to the national team and announced yesterday the names of 17 players available for the Gilas Pilipinas men’s national team.

Two-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, who missed national team duties due to plantar fasciitis on both feet, headlined the list along with fellow Fiba Asia holdouts Japeth Aguilar, Greg Slaughter, Marcio Lassiter, LA Tenorio and Paul Lee.

Also in the list were rookie Troy Rosario, Ryan Reyes, Jeff Chan and Ian Sangalang, along with holdovers Jason Castro, Marc Pingris, Ranidel De Ocampo, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Terrence Romeo, Calvin Abueva and Gabe Norwood.

“The foregoing list is subject to change depending on player availability and the final choice of the national coach,” said Non during the special board meeting attended by all the governors of the 12 ballclubs.

Meralco governor Al Panlilio, who also sits as vice president of the SBP, also announced that the country’s national basketball federation will explore the possibility of hosting an Olympic qualifier on July 5 to 10 next year.

“The advantage of hosting it here is the sixth man or the Filipino fans, especially in a tournament where we will compete against 17 very tough countries,” said Panlilio.

The SBP earlier announced it needs to pay 2 million euros just for the hosting rights alone.

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