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[av_heading heading=’Reyes eyes Fajardo, Abueva for Gilas 5.0 ‘ 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 – Three-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo and Calvin Abueva are among the PBA veterans being eyed to be part of the 25-man Gilas Pilipinas 5.0 lineup that will compete in various international tournaments starting next year.
According to Gilas head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes, he will take one player from each of the 12 teams to join the Gilas players that underwent a special draft last Sunday and naturalized center Andray Blatche to form the national pool.
A source told Panay News that, aside from Fajardo and Abueva, other PBA veterans being eyed are Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo, Gabe Norwood, Japeth Aguilar, Paul Lee, Jared Dillinger, JC Intal, Almond Vosotros, Aldrech Ramos, and Carlo Lastimosa.
Already part of the Gilas lineup are Mark Belo, Matthew Wright, Kevin Ferrer, Russel Escoto, Jiovani Jalalon, Arnold Van Opstal, Roger Pogoy, Eduardo Daquioag, Mike Tolomia, Carl Bryan Cruz, Von Pessumal, and Alfonso Gotladera.
“We are allowed to pick one PBA player from each team plus the 12 Gilas players and the naturalized player. From that lineup, we will pick the 12 players that will play in each tournament,” Reyes said.
“There are no hard and fast rules on the composition of the 12. It will depend on the kind of the tournament, competition and on the condition of the players,” the returning Gilas mentor added.
As part of the agreement between the PBA and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the Gilas players will be pulled out two months before the competition, while the PBA veterans will be loaned 15 days before each tournament.
Reyes said that 2017 will be a busy year for the Gilas team as they will compete in the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) tournament, the FIBA-Asia Championship, Jones Cup, SEA Games, and the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifier.
“We have to win the 2017 SEABA tournament convincingly as we’re not a shoo-in in FIBA-Asia Championship. So 2017 is a fun year for us. There’s a lot to be look forward to,” said Reyes./PN
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