Gilas Pilipinas will be without naturalized center Andray Blatche for the 2017 Fiba Asia Cup in Beirut, Lebanon this August.
Coach Chot Reyes bared his 12-man roster Tuesday night with just two weeks left before the Philippines shoots for the Asian title after years of finishing with the silver medal.
READ: Sources: Blatche reluctant to join Gilas in Lebanon Fiba Asia
Veterans June Mar Fajardo, Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo, Calvin Abueva, and Japeth Aguilar banner the team together with returning defender Gabe Norwood.
Rookies Jio Jalalon, Matthew Wright, and Roger Pogoy were also retained in the roster along with cadet Carl Bryan Cruz.
READ: Filipinos fail to finish Gilas stint on a high note despite win over Iran
Rounding up the roster are Raymond Almazan and Fil-German big man Christian
Standhardinger, who took Blatche’s place.
In an earlier report from the Inquirer, Blatche was reluctant in joining the team because of the peace and order situation in Beirut, Lebanon.
Gilas Pilipinas is set to compete in the continental championships, with Australia and New Zealand participating for the first time, from August 8 to 20.