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[av_heading heading=’ ‘Rookies to reinforce Gilas 24-man pool’’ 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 – Rookies Arthur dela Cruz, Jonathan Grey and Bradwyn Guinto are reportedly being eyed to be part of the 24-man Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team for international competitions this year.
Sources told Panay News that dela Cruz of the Blackwater Elite, Grey of the Meralco Bolts and Guinto of the NLEX Road Warriors are high on the shortlist of Gilas head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes.
Others being seen as shoo-ins for the squad are PBA veterans June Mar Fajardo, Gabe Norwood, Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, Japeth Aguilar, Paul Lee, Jayson Castro, JC Intal, and Aldrech Ramos.
Already part of the Gilas lineup are Mac 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, Gilas players will be pulled out two months before international competitions, while the PBA veterans will be loaned 15 days before a tournament.
Reyes said that the 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, the SEA Games, and the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifier./PN
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