Only 9 players show up at Gilas Pilipinas Thursday training

MANILA, Philippines—It was a small party for Gilas Pilipinas after just nine players attended Thursday’s practice at Meralco Gym.

According to several reports, national team center June Mar Fajardo led the bunch that included his San Miguel teammate Marcio Lassiter and veteran wing Gabe Norwood.

Others in attendance were Barangay Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar, Magnolia’s Paul Lee and Mark Barroca, TNT’s Roger Pogoy and Troy Rosario, and NLEX’ Poy Erram.

Jayson Castro, who was once regarded as Asia’s best point guard, was still absent for Yeng Guiao, who called for the team’s first practice last Monday.

Big man Raymond Almazan and point guard Scottie Thompson were also no-shows for the second practice session this week.

Gilas is preparing for the 2019 Fiba Basketball World Cup in China this August. The Filipinos are bracketed with Angola, Italy, and Serbia in Group D.