Proud Gilas Pilipinas. Photo courtesy of FIBA
Final 12 of Gilas Pilipinas known
CLARKSON, Aguilar, Fajardo, Perez, Sotto, Thompson, Ramos, Malonzo, Ravena, Abando, Edu and Pogoy.
If the names sound familiar, that’s because these are the names of the final 12 players who will represent the country — Gilas Pilipinas — in the FIBA World Cup 2023 starting Friday, August 25.
With only two days left before the world’s biggest basketball showcase kicks off at the Philippine Arena, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) formally announced the 12-man line-up headlined by former NBA “Sixth Man of the Year” awardee Jordan Clarkson and NBA hopeful Kai Sotto.
“Guards Kiefer Ravena, Dwight Ramos and Scottie Thompson; swingmen RR Pogoy, CJ Perez, Rhenz Abando, and Jamie Malonzo; and big men Kai Sotto, Japeth Aguilar, June Mar Fajardo and AJ Edu are part of the lineup,” said the report from SBP
There were no major surprises in the composition of the team as the four players who did not make the cut — Thirdy Ravena, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana and Bobby Ray Parks — have long been rumored to be on the way out.
Unlike in the Asian Games or Southeast Asian Games, there are no reserves for the team based on FIBA rules.
To be handled by coach Chot Reyes, the Gilas Pilipinas will take on world No. 23 Dominican Republic on Aug. 25, world No. 41 Angola on Aug. 27 and world No. 10 Italy on Aug. 29 in Group A preliminary action.
The Filipinos need two wins to advance to the second round and keep their hopes of making it to the Paris Olympics next year.
Dominican Republic, which also announced its 12-man line-up, will be led by three-time NBA All-Star Karl Anthony-Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lester Quinones, of the Golden State Warriors.
Towns, who is making his return to international competition after 10 years, averaged 20.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists with the Timberwolves last season. Quiñones played for Golden State last season before being moved to the Sta. Cruz Warriors for the upcoming G League.
International veterans Victor Liz, Angel Delgado, LJ Figueroa, Jean Montero, Andres Feliz, Gelvis Solano, Rigoberto Mendoza, Gerardo Suero, Antonio Pena and Eloy Vargas complete the roster.
