Gilas to only field 11 players in FIBA third window

Gilas Pilipinas will only have 11 players during the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers’ third window.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas made the announcement on Saturday – five days before the window opens.

(C) KBA

Part of the team are the 10 players that went up against Korea in a two-game road friendlies last week, namely Kiefer Ravena of Shiga, RJ Abarrientos of Ulsan, SJ Belangel of Daegu, Rhenz Abando of Letran, Geo Chiu of Ateneo, full-time pool member William Navarro, Kevin Quiambao of La Salle, Dwight Ramos of Hokkaido, Carl Tamayo of University of the Philippines, and free agent Lebron Lopez.

Also making his return is Ateneo’s Dave Ildefonso, who missed the two-game friendlies due to an ankle injury.

Abando will be making his national team debut in the window while Quiambao will make his seniors squad debut.

Angelo Kouame has been ruled out of the competition due to a partial ACL tear.

Gilas are 1-1 in Group C. They will face the Tall Blacks (3-0) at EventFinda Stadium in Auckland on June 30 before hosting India (0-3) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on July 3.

All three teams are already assured of a spot in the next round after South Korea’s disqualification.