Gilas Pilipinas Men will finally have 12 players to rotate.
Rhenz Abando’s inclusion into the lineup in lieu of Dwight Ramos has been approved during the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup technical meeting held Monday afternoon at Fairmont Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Gilas team manager Butch Antonio, who attended the meeting for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, confirmed the development to Tiebreaker Times.
Abando’s entry into the lineup was due to medical reasons as Ramos has been suffering from shin splints that forced him out of the continental tournament.
During the Korea friendlies and the third window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, Gilas were playing shorthanded as Ange Kouame (ACL) and Dave Ildefonso (ankle) were sidelined.
In those two tournaments, the 6-foot-2 Abando stepped up.
Abando averaged 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, and 1.0 assists during the 2022 KB Kookmin Bank Invitational. He normed 6.5 points during the second window.
Completing the Gilas 12 are Kiefer Ravena, Poy Erram, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Thirdy Ravena, RJ Abarrientos, SJ Belangel, William Navarro, Carl Tamayo, Francis Lopez, Geo Chiu, and Kevin Quiambao.
The Philippines takes on Lebanon (July 13), India (July 15), and New Zealand (July 17) in pool play.
