Two Filipinos are set to make their Gilas Pilipinas debuts in Window 6 of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Naturalized Filipino Justin Brownlee and young Fil-Australian Mason Amos made the final 12 for the Philippine side that will take on Lebanon on Friday at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Brownlee, 34, is a six-time PBA champion and a three-time Best Player of the Conference. His naturalization was signed last January 12, 2023.
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Meanwhile, Amos will be the second youngest player to be fielded by Gilas in this cycle, behind Francis Lopez. Amos is 18 years old.
The Ateneo-commit, who stands at 6-foot-7, dazzled during the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship, norming 21.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.
Two players are also making their Gilas returns in San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo and Nagasaki’s Jordan Heading.
The last time Fajardo played in a FIBA-sanctioned game was back in the 2019 FIBA World Cup. On the other hand, Heading last played for the Philippines during the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
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The rest of the squad are holdovers from Windows 4 and 5, headlined by the backcourt of Scottie Thompson and CJ Perez.
Completing the squad are Dwight Ramos, Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Calvin Oftana, and Jamie Malonzo.
The last time Gilas and the Cedars met, it was Lebanon who came out on top, 85-81.
Both squads are already assured of a spot in the World Cup.
