Norwood, Rosser to play point for Gilas with guards injured

Terrence Romeo icing his injured ankle during practice. Photo by Musong Castillo

TAIPEI – Gilas Pilipinas will be clashing with the USA Select-Overtake crew in the Jones Cup 2015 on Saturday afternoon without a pure point guard with Jason Castro, the only one left in the lineup who is healthy, to be rested by coach Tab Baldwin.

Gabe Norwood and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser will be alternating as quarterbacks with Calvin Abueva to give some minutes playing the spot when the situation calls for it.

Terrence Romeo will be sitting out a second straight game because of a left ankle sprain, while Jimmy Alapag is still out because of a recurring leg injury.

Alapag flew back to the Philippines to attend an important family function but will be back Sunday to attend the closing ceremonies with the rest of the team.

“That’s what these tournaments (are all about), they throw these (injury) scenarios at you,” Gilas coach Tab Baldwin said. “You’re bound to run into something that’s not supposed to happen.”

Gilas needs to win its last two games, its last assignment being against Chinese Taipei-B on Sunday, and must hope that Iran loses to Spartak Primorye of Russia also Saturday to have a shot at winning the Jones Cup.

“There’s no point in pushing that (playing an injured Romeo and not giving Castro a break),” Baldwin added. “We don’t want to push these guys at any unnecessary risks.”