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[av_heading heading=’Fajardo, Abueva, Romeo lead Gilas 12 for FIBA Asia ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – PBA veterans are set to reinforce the Gilas Pilipinas team that will compete in the FIBA Asia Cup on Aug. 9-20 in Lebanon.
June Mar Fajardo, Terrence Romeo, Calvin Abueva, Jayson Castro, Japeth Aguilar, Gabe Norwood, and Raymond Almazan will lead the way for the Chot Reyes-mentored squad.
Gilas cadets Matthew Wright, Roger Pogoy, Carl Bryan Cruz, and Jiovani Jalalon – who all made a name for themselves during the 2017 William Jones Cup – were also included in the Gilas 12 for FIBA Asia.
The 6-foot-8 Filipino-German Christian Standhardinger was tapped as naturalized player while Eduardo Daquioag was listed as “team official” but will likely served as the team’s practice player.
Naturalized player Andray Blatche was not included in the squad after refusing to play due to “security threats” in Lebanon. He was also reportedly asking for a higher pay.
Also cut from the 24-man Gilas pool were Chris Michael Tolomia, Kiefer Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Kobe Paras, Kevin Ferrer, Jeth Troy Rosario, Baser Amer, and Kevin Alas, who will play for the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Games.
Allein Maliksi and Norbert Torres were reportedly not allowed by their PBA teams since they already had a representative from the chosen 12-man pool. Mark Belo was also omitted as he has yet to regain his form since being saddled with injury.
Gilas was grouped with defending champion China, Iraq and Qatar.
The Philippines qualified in FIBA Asia after ruling the SEABA last month.
In FIBA Asia, the winners from each of the four brackets following round-robin play will directly advance to the quarterfinals.
The second and third placers from each group will figure in knockout matches to determine the last four quarterfinalists./PN
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