Once again, Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes went to social media to announce the line-up for the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup.
Headlining the line-up are key returnees from Gilas’ golden run during the 2017 SEABA Championship. Jayson Castro, June Mar Fajardo, Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, Japeth Aguilar, Raymond Almazan, Roger Pogoy, Jiovani Jalalon, and Matthew Wright will form the core of the team.
Andray Blatche, Allein Maliksi, and Troy Rosario were not fielded in for the tournament as the former cited security concerns while Rosario is currently lined-up for the SEA Games.
Joining them is Gabe Norwood, who is returning to the National Team for the first time since the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Completing the cast are Gilas cadet Carl Cruz and naturalized Filipino Christian Standhardinger, both of whom are part of the SEA Games team as well. Ed Daquioag is listed as a team official but he will most likely be part of the team as the injury reserve.
The tournament will be held from August 8 to 20, 2017 in Lebanon.
The Philippines is group with China, Iraq, and Qatar in Group B of the tournament.