Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
National team head coach Chot Reyes made a couple of changes ahead of Gilas Pilipinas’ duel against Australia in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Point guard Baser Amer replaced fellow floor general Jio Jalalon while forward Carl Bryan Cruz was put in place of shooting guard Allein Maliksi.
Apart from the two changes, the team that played in the 93-71 win over Chinese-Taipei will still be the one that will be fielded against the Aussies on Monday at Philippine Arena.
Reyes announced the lineup on Twitter through ESPN 5, the company which he’s also the president.
June Mar Fajardo, the reigning four-time PBA MVP, and naturalized center Andray Blatche will banner Gilas’ frontcourt with Troy Rosario, Gabe Norwood, Calvin Abueva, and Japeth Aguilar.
Jayson Castro, once regarded as the best point guard in Asia, will lead the backcourt along with Terrence Romeo, Matthew Wright, and Roger Pogoy.
Australia and the Philippines both have 4-1 records in Group B but the Boomers hold the tiebreak over Gilas after their 84-68 win in the previous window.