Gilas Pilipinas will not have its top two point guards Jayson Castro and Jiovani Jalalon for the Philippines’ upcoming game against 10th-ranked Australia on Thursday.
The announcement was made by head coach Chot Reyes through ESPN5’s Facebook page.
Available for Gilas’ third game in the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers are Kiefer Ravena, Kevin Alas, Matthew Wright, Roger Pogoy, Calvin Abueva, Allein Maliksi, Carl Cruz, Gabe Norwood, Japeth Aguilar, June Mar Fajardo, Abu Tratter, and Andray Blatche.
Castro, who was the leading scorer of Gilas during the first window, twisted his ankle during the TNT Katropa’s games against the Phoenix Fuel Masters and the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
Jalalon, on the other hand, still had pain on his leg.
With this, the backcourt duo of Ravena and Alas will have the tough task of filling in Castro’s shoes.
“They’ve been playing very well in the PBA. Kiefer accounted himself during the first window,” said Reyes. “It’s hard not having our top point guard but it’s an opportunity for Kiefer to step in. It’s hard to fill-in Jayson’s shoes.”
Prior to this, Mac Belo and Troy Rosario were also forced out of the pool due to injuries.
The line-up will just be for the Australian game. Gilas will have to submit another line-up for their home game against Japan on Sunday, February 25.
