RJ Abarrientos, Ralph Cu step in as practice players for Gilas

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Ralph Cu and RJ Abarrientos helping out Tim Cone and Gilas Pilipinas for its preparations –SBP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—With Gilas Pilipinas a hectic schedule, Tim Cone brought in some reliable faces to help the national team prepare for its training camp in Doha, Qatar and the third leg of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Justin Brownlee and Troy Rosario were given days off by the Gilas coaching staff to recover from Ginebra’s hectic quarterfinals series against Meralco, so Cone brought him some of his role players at the Gin Kings to help with scrimmages

READ: Gilas Pilipinas gets things going ahead of Doha friendlies, qualifiers

Ralph Cu, who was once a practice player for Gilas, answered the call yet again to help the Philippines train for the busy February ahead.

RJ Abarrientos also traveled to the Inspire Camp in Laguna to lend a helping hand to the national team.

READ: Gilas Pilipinas stint won’t interfere with Ginebra preparations, says Cone

Abarrientos’ appearance in Gilas’ practice also gave rise to a reunion of sorts between him and assistant coach Sean Chambers–both Far Eastern University notable names.

Cu and Abarrientos will be helping the Gilas squad fine tune its roster and rotation before  its games on February 15 to 17, where the Nationals be playing against the likes of Qatar, Lebanon and Egypt.

Then, Gilas will embark on the third leg of the Fiba Asian Cup Qualifiers where it will face Chinese Taipei and New Zealand, respectively, starting on February 20.

The two Gin Kings reinforcement, though, won’t be flying with the national squad when they head to Qatar on Thursday.