The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas released the names of the 24 players in the official pool of Gilas Pilipinas for the upcoming FIBA Asia Championship in China this September.
The 24-man pool is a requirement by FIBA Asia for all participating countries in the Asian championships. National teams can only select from the 24-man pool who to include in the final 12.
The submission for the final 12 is on the second week of September. The reason for the 24-man pool is for assurance in case members of a national team get injured or unavailable.
Teams may only select replacements from the 24-man pool as well. In the middle of the FIBA Asia tournament, teams may replace injured players from the final 12 with players from the pool for a corresponding fee.
The names for the Philippine team are:
Andray Blatche
Jimmy Alapag
Gabe Norwood
Sonny Thoss
Sonny Thoss
Calvin Abueva
JC Intal
Aldrech Ramos
Marc Pingris
Troy Rosario
Jayson Castro
Matt Ganuelas-Rosser
Gary David
Dondon Hontiveros
Ranidel de Ocampo
Moala Tautuaa
Photo by Nuki Sabio
Asi Taulava
Terrence Romeo
June Mar Fajardo
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Paul Lee
Marcio Lassiter
Ray Parks Jr.
Kiefer Ravena
Jordan Clarkson
LA Tenorio
Having a 24-man pool is a requirement, although it does not guarantee that all of the players are likely to join Gilas, like a handful of players who have already pulled out of practice in the past weeks like Lassiter, Tenorio, and Fajardo.
The SBP is already working hand in hand with FIBA to lobby Clarkson’s eligibility as a local.
In 2013, Gilas Pilipinas 2.0 also submitted its 24-man pool which included cadets like Ganuelas-Rosser, Jake Pascual, RR Garcia, Kevin Alas, and Garvo Lanete although the pros made the final 12 for the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.
