Gilas Asian Games roster led by Fiba World Cup holdovers, Justin Brownlee
Gilas Pilipinas center June Mar Fajardo at the Fiba World Cup. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Seven holdovers from the Gilas Pilipinas 2023 Fiba World Cup roster are going to see action in the 12th Asian Games in China later this month.
Kiefer Ravena, Scottie Thompson, RR Pogoy, June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Japeth Aguilar, Jamie Malonzo are set to reprise their roles and backstop naturalized ace Justin Brownlee in the campaign at Hangzhou.
Joining the cast are Ange Kouame, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Chris Newsome and Calvin Oftana—the final cuts from the Gilas squad that finished 24th overall in the ongoing Fiba World Cup after rolling past China to end its campaign.
Ravena is the only player on the roster who is plying his trade in Japan. Other standouts who saw action in the World Cup have opted out of the Asian Games to focus on their overseas careers like Dwight Ramos and AJ Edu.
Rhenz Abando, a fan favorite, has since said that a possible Asiad appearance will depend on his Korean club, Anyang KGC.
Justin Brownlee is expected to lead Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming Asian Games in China. —FIBA.COM
Also listed for the regional showcase are Chot Reyes and Tim Cone. Reyes, however, has since said he is “stepping aside” to allow the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to tap a new mentor for the program.
“The deadline for the Entry by Names [EBN]was last July 25 and whatever list a national Olympic committee submitted is deemed official,” Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino said in a statement released to the press Tuesday.
Any changes, the POC chief said, would have to be appealed to the Asian Games’ Organizing Committee.
It remains to be seen how the SBP navigates the days leading up to the Asian Games. But it is worth noting that the Philippine Basketball Association has pegged a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
In 2018, the SBP and the PBA decided to send Rain or Shine’s core that was later reinforced by Jordan Clarkson.
That squad bowed to South Korea in the quarterfinals, eventually finishing fifth in the race.
