FILE — Coach Chot Reyes. Inquirer photo/Tristan
MANILA, Philippines—Nothing is yet set in stone as far as Gilas Pilipinas’ roster for the upcoming Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers is concerned.
Returning Philippine team head coach Chot Reyes is open to welcoming more prospects to add to the current pool 16 days before the qualifiers tips off at Araneta Coliseum.
“We want to keep our options open,” said Reyes, who was tapped by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to replace Tab Baldwin at the helm earlier this month, during the PSA Forum on Tuesday.
“It’s a work in progress. We’re not announcing any lineup precisely because we don’t know what the final lineup will be. There’s no final determination yet,” he said.
Currently, Reyes has Gilas players Dwight Ramos, Will Navarro, Juan Gomez de Liano, Jaydee Tungcab, Tzaddy Rangel and naturalized player Ange Kouame at his disposal.
Bolstering the team are players from his TNT squad in Troy Rosario, RR Pogoy and Poy Erram.
Reyes added the door is also open for other PBA clubs to lend their players to help at any capacity.
Gilas lost several prospects with the likes of Rey Suerte, Isaac Go and Allyn Bulanadi opting not to renew their contracts with the national team.
Promising big men Carl Tamayo of University of the Philippines and Justine Baltazar of La Salle also begged off to focus on the UAAP.
The Nationals are holding camp at Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa, Batangas.
Gilas begins its campaign against South Korea on February 24 before taking on India the next day and New Zealand on February 27.
The Filipinos wrap up the upcoming window with a rematch against their South Korean rivals on February 28.