EXPECT another all-out war between the Philippines and host China in their basketball rematch in the 19th Asian Games scheduled September 23-October 8 in Hangzhou, China.

But the Philippines could be without three of its rising stars 7-2 Kai Sotto, 6-10 AJ Edu and 6-4 Dwight Ramos in the biennial competition considered as the “Olympics” of Asia.

PBA Best Import awardee Justin Brownlee will take the place of NBA “Sixth Man of the Year” winner Jordan Clarkson, but the rest of the Gilas Pilipinas line-up that posted an impressive 96-75 victory over China in the FIBA World Cup 2023 is reportedly out of the Hangzhou-bound national team.

NBA prospect Sotto, who provided the inside presence for the Filpinos against the Chinese, is reportedly returning to the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japan-based B-League, while the Cypriot-born Edu will play his first season with the Toyama Grouses also in the B-League.

Ramos, the 25-year-old Filipino- American and one of Gilas’ leading scorers in the FIBA World Cup, is also suiting up for B-League team Levanga Hokkaido.

“I’m not playing in the Asian Games,” said Ramos when asked about the Asian Games due to conflict in schedules with the B-League.

Also questionable for the Asian Games campaign are Rhenz Abando, Kiefer Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks and Thirdy Ravena.

Abando, who plays for Anyang KGC in the Korean Basketball League, was supposed to join his Korean team as early as July but opted out to be able to play for Gilas in the World Cup 2023.

“It depends kung papayag po yung team ko kasi sobrang tagal ko na pong naka-bakasyon. Dapat July 9 nasa Korea na ako pero nag-extend ako para makalaro dito sa FIBA World Cup,”said Abando, the 6-2 shooting guard from University of Santo Tomas and Letran.

Only six-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo and fellow three-time FIBA World Cup veteran Japeth Aguilar are left to carry the fight for the Filipinos, along with Scottie Thompson, CJ Perez, Jamie Malonzo, RR Pogoy and reserve Chris Newsome.

The Gilas Pilipinas basketball program was also hit by the resignation of head coach Chot Reyes immediately after the Filipinos’ win over the Chinese with 9nly two weeks left before the Asian Games.

“I don’t know if I’m still gonna be here for (the Asian Games).I might have coached my last game already as the Gilas Pilipinas coach.So, I really don’t know,” said Reyes during post-game interviews immediately after the China game.

His top assistant, coach Tim Cone of Barangay Ginebra, has also expressed his intention to pack his bags once Reyes leaves the team.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), headed by Chairman Emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan and President Al Panlilio, has yet to reply on Reyes’ resignation.

But sources said the SBP could prevail upon Reyes to stay as head coach and continue the program in the Asian Games.

In Hangzhou, the Philippines is placed in Group C, along with Jordan, Brunei and Thailand.

The Filipinos will play Brunei on Sept. 26 at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre; Thailand on Sept. 28 at the -Zhejiang University Zijingang gymnasium; and Jordan on Sept. 30 at theHangzhou Olympic Sports Centre.

Host China, on the other hand, is in Group B in the compnay of Lebanon, Taipei and Mongolia.

The other teams are Iran,Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates in Group A, and Japan, Korea, Indonesia and Qatar in Group D.