14-man team named; Marcio cut but hopeful

MARCIO Lassiter was the last player cut from the 14-man roster national coach Tab Baldwin will take to Europe for Gilas Pilipinas’ preparations for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, but the San Miguel Beer sniper could still make the nine-day Greece training camp.

Lassiter was dropped from the team because of health issues, with Rain or Shine gunner Jeff Chan punching the last ticket to the squad and remaining in the hunt for a spot in Baldwin’s “Fighting 12” for the July 5 to 10 Olympic qualifier in Manila.

Lassiter’s exclusion also paved the way for the entry of Bobby Ray Parks and Ryan Reyes into the pool. But Lassiter, who is recovering from bronchopneumonia, could still make the training camp if he gets clearance from his doctors.

“Communication lines are still open with Gilas through [team manager] Butch Antonio,” said Marvin Espiritu, the player’s agent, in a text message to Inquirer.net. “I think they are still assessing the timeframe on when is the latest that Marcio can follow once he gets clearance from his doctor.”

Parks is the only non-PBA member in the group and, after a strong showing in an 81-70 drubbing of an Iranian national squad on Wednesday, seems to have a strong shot at a place in the roster.

“He is certainly good enough to play at this level and we can all see that,” Baldwin said of Parks, the son of the only seven-time PBA Best Import awardee, the late Bobby Parks.

The oft-injured Reyes also made a case for himself with four triples against Iran.

“Ryan is just a guy I really like a lot, and I think he understands the confidence I have in him,” Baldwin said of Reyes. “I think he is one of the best players you can have on the floor in any situation. He’s intelligent and physically tough.”

Andray Blatche, June Mar Fajardo, Ranidel de Ocampo, Terrence Romeo, Calvin Abueva, Gabe Norwood, Marc Pingris, Troy Rosario, Japeth Aguilar, LA Tenorio and Jason Castro are the other members of the team. With a report from Randolph B. Leongson, INQUIRER.net