Depleted will be the frontline of Gilas Pilipinas heading into the final window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Though already assured of a spot in the global meet by virtue of being hosts, Gilas head coach Chot Reyes had wanted to use this window to build more chemistry in the team.
However, it won’t have three of its pillars when the Philippines hosts Lebanon on the 24th and Jordan on the 27th at Philippine Arena.
Kai Sotto has ruled himself out of the event as he is set to settle in Hiroshima. Ditto for Carl Tamayo, who has left the country and is headed to Okinawa.
Sotto is averaging 13.0 points and 10.5 rebounds in two games played in the Qualifiers so far while Tamayo is norming 8.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in three games.
Meanwhile, Japeth Aguilar is also out due to an MCL strain.
Aguilar is averaging 8.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in three games in the Qualifiers.
With the three out, Reyes has added Kelly Williams to the preliminary pool on Tuesday — the last day for registration.
(C) Paul Ryan Tan/FIBA Asia
Williams was part of the Gilas team that played in the Araneta window last year. He put up numbers of 2.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists against New Zealand and India.
Questionable for the window is Angelo Kouame as well as he is still recovering from malaria while Raymond Almazan is still seeking clearance from mother team Meralco.
Other big men left in the pool are June Mar Fajardo, Mason Amos, and Kevin Quiambao.
