FILE PHOTO. Fiba.com
Having been dropped from consideration for the second window of the 2019 Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers last month, Calvin Abueva managed to make the cut for the Gilas Pilipinas pool which will fly to Melbourne on Monday.
National team coach Chot Reyes announced his 14-man pool for the February 22 game against Australia on his Twitter account on Sunday night.
READ: Chot drops ‘disinterested’ Abueva, Almazan for 2nd leg
“Finally got the go-signal to announce Gilas entourage leaving tomorrow (Monday),” Reyes wrote.
Naturalized player Andray Blatche, chief point guard Jayson Castro, and four-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo lead the Philippine delegation as they visit the Boomers for their first duel in Group B action.
Also part of the squad are Gabe Norwood, Japeth Aguilar, Allein Maliksi, Kevin Alas, RR Pogoy, Matthew Wright, Jio Jalalon, Carl Bryan Cruz, and Kiefer Ravena.
Fil-American big man and “23-for-23” cadet member Abu Tratter will also join the Philippine team, which is missing key big men due to injuries.
Reyes explained that Troy Rosario hasn’t gotten his medical clearance yet after his bad fall in TNT’s game against Phoenix on February 7, while Mac Belo is still not at 100 percent after recently recovering from his left knee injury.
After Australia, Gilas goes home to take on Japan on February 25 at Mall of Asia Arena.