The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is holding off on revealing the pool for the fourth window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
This as the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup semifinals that are still ongoing.
However, SBP spokesperson Sonny Barrios said that they won’t be revealing the local pros for the time being as to not distract the players from their jobs with their mother teams.
TNT, San Miguel, Magnolia, and Meralco remain in the race.
“Di muna na natin rerelease yung pool until after the semifinals para hindi madistract yung mga lumalaro pa,” he said during Tuesday’s edition of the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum.
“Yung PBA players ang nakakarami sa pool na tinitignan. Yan yung sa ngayon ang pinagtutuunan ng pansin.”
Barrios though revealed the overseas pros and collegiate standouts that will be part of the pool.
Jordan Clarkson (Utah) will be the designated naturalized player in the pool while only two collegiate players will be tapped this time around, namely Carl Tamayo (UP) and Kevin Quiambao (La Salle).
Also part of the pool are Kiefer Ravena (Shiga), Thridy Ravena (San-En), Bobby Ray Parks Jr. (Nagoya), and Dwight Ramos (Hokkaido). Free agent Francis Lopez is also part of the pool.
The team will begin practicing on the 15th.
Gilas face Lebanon on the road on the 25th and Saudi Arabia at home on the 29th.
