Gilas Pilipinas players AJ Edu, Carl Tamayo, Justin Brownlee and Kevin Quiambao. –SBP FACEBOOK
MANILA, Philippines—AJ Edu and Jamie Malonzo are returning to the final roster in Gilas Pilipinas’ match against Chinese Taipei in the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers third window.
Without Kai Sotto, who suffered an ACL tear not too long ago, coach Tim Cone brought back the 6-foot-10 Edu and tapped veteran Japeth Aguilar to infuse some height into the roster.
SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers third window
Along with Malonzo, Ginebra stars are headlining the final lineup for Thursday with naturalized player Justin Brownlee and guard Scottie Thompson.
Edu is playing for the first time in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers, while Malonzo is seeing action in a Gilas jersey for the first time in a year.
Gilas Pilipinas players’ Calvin Oftana, CJ PErez, June Mar Fajardo, Chris Newsome and Jamie Malonzo. –SBP PHOTO
Edu’s fellow Japanese B.League import Dwight Ramos and members of the last two PBA champion teams Calvin Oftana (TNT) and Chris Newsome (Meralco) and San Miguel Beer stars June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez also bolster Gilas in the road game.
READ: Japeth Aguilar’s Gilas return puts him in mentor’s role
Rounding out the Final 12 are Korean Basketball League Filipino imports Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo.
Likely joining Troy Rosario as a reserve player is Mason Amos, who was also in Gilas’ 13-man lineup in the 2nd Doha International Cup last weekend.
The Philippines is coming off a “disappointing” run in Qatar and is aiming to bounce back by sweeping the Fiba Asia Cup qualifying group phase.
Gilas will be taking on Chinese Taipei on Thursday in its second to the last game of the continental qualifiers.