Gilas Pilipinas includes Kai Sotto and Jordan Clarkson in its 24-man pool submitted to the IBF for the fourth window of the FIBA 2023 World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas submitted the names of the 24-man pool of Gilas Pilipinas to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) for the fourth window of the 2023 World Cup Asian Qualifiers on August 16.
Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson and Adelaide 36ers big man Kai Sotto headline the pool together with Japan imports Kiefer Ravena (Shiga), Thirdy Ravena (San-En), Bobby Ray Parks Jr. (Nagoya), Dwight Ramos (Hokkaido).
The remaining players are a mix of PBA players and amateurs.
The only amateur players called up to the squad are Carl Tamayo (UP), Kevin Quiambao (DLSU), and Francis Lopez (free agent).
While players from the PBA from the already-eliminated teams from the Philippine Cup included in the pool are Magnolia’s Jio Jalalon and Ian Sangalang; NLEX’s Kevin Alas and Calvin Oftana; Northport’s Robert Bolick and Jamie Malonzo; and Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, and Arvin Tolentino.
Free agent Roosevelt Adams, former No. 1 pick of the 2019 PBA Draft by the Columbian Dyip, was also included in the preliminary list.
Meanwhile players listed by the federation from the remaining competing teams are San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez; Meralco’s Chris Newsome, Allein Maliksi, and Raymond Almazan.
The SBP said players who will win on Wednesday's do-or-die PBA semis game between San Miguel (Fajardon and Perez) and Meralco (Almazan, Maliksi and Newsome) will automatically be removed from the pool.
As agreed upon by the PBA and the SBP earlier, only players from the 10 eliminated teams will be made available for national team duty due to the fourth window clashing with the schedule of the All-Filipino finals.
Gilas will take on Lebanon in Beirut on August 25 and will be hosting Saudi Arabia at the Mall of Asia Arena on August 29 as they advance to the second round of the qualifiers with a 2-2 record.
Tags: #FIBA, #Gilas, #WorldCup