Instead, Sunday night’s friendly against the Aussie club became indicative of the makeup of the Nationals’ roster for the global meet, which begins Aug. 31 in the Chinese city of Foshan.
“It won’t necessarily mirror [the selection of the last six players for the final 12],” he said Saturday. “But it is a chance to evaluate and assess.”
Gilas is due to unveil its 12-man lineup for the Worlds on Monday, but Guiao also said in the past that he already has 10 in mind, with six as shoo-ins.
Naturalized big man Andray Blatche, skipper Gabe Norwood, Japeth Aguilar, reigning five-time PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, Troy Rosario, and Roger Pogoy have long been regarded as locks for spots.
The other six might as well be Raymond Almazan, Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, PBA rookies CJ Perez and Robert Bolick with Kiefer Ravena rounding out the team after just having served out a 15-month Fiba suspension.
Deciding on the final six might be easier for Guiao with the injured Marcio Lassiter ruled out by the fiery coach himself last Friday because of an injury.
Poy Erram and Matthew Wright also have “minor injuries,” but being out of a string of practices and the scrimmages with the Aussies certainly don’t serve them well in the final reckoning. Beau Belga had stressed that he is simply a warm body helping in the preparations and no longer expects to make the roster.