Andray Blatche. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Naturalized center Andray Blatche, four-time PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, and veteran playmaker Jayson Castro will spearhead Gilas Pilipinas it its opening assignment against Japan in the first leg of the Asian qualifiers of the 2019 Fiba World Cup.
Coach Chot Reyes bared his 12-man roster on Thursday on the eve of the Philippine team’s clash against the home team.
Also in the squad are veterans Gabe Norwood, Calvin Abueva, and Japeth Aguilar, returnees Allein Maliksi, Troy Rosario, Kevin Alas, sophomores Roger Pogoy, Matthew Wright, and rookie Kiefer Ravena.
Raymond Almazan, Mac Belo, and Carl Bryan Cruz will sit out the game.
Gilas will take on Japan on Friday night at Komazawa Olympic Park General Sports Gymnasium in Tokyo.