Gilas Pilipinas taps familiar faces in Final 12 for Fiba Asia Cup


Gilas Pilipinas during the national anthem ahead of its match in the 2025 Fiba Asia CupGilas Pilipinas during the national anthem ahead of its match in the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup

Gilas Pilipinas during the national anthem ahead of its match in the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers against Chinese Taipei. –FIBA PHOTO

Gilas Pilipinas will have familiar faces, including those dealing with injuries, for its 12-man roster for the Fiba Asia Cup which starts Aug. 5 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas confirmed on Thursday the inclusion of Justin Brownlee, June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, Dwight Ramos, Japeth Aguilar, Calvin Oftana, Chris Newsome, CJ Perez, Carl Tamayo, AJ Edu, Kevin Quiambao and Jamie Malonzo into coach Tim Cone’s roster.

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READ: Dwight Ramos, Gilas building more chemistry as Fiba Asia Cup nears

Cone’s selection was the same he had during the final window of the Asia Cup Qualifiers last February while also sticking with Oftana despite dealing with an ankle injury since the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals for TNT.

Gilas Pilipinas will have familiar faces, including those dealing with injuries, for its 12-man roster for the Fiba Asia Cup which starts Aug. 5 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Gilas Pilipinas will have familiar faces, including those dealing with injuries, for its 12-man roster for the Fiba Asia Cup which starts Aug. 5 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Cone had earlier said that Oftana had a “50-50 çhance” of making the squad, but was still given the green light to don the Gilas jersey for the continental tournament.

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Fajardo is also playing for Gilas despite nursing a calf injury when San Miguel Beer defeated the Oftana-led TNT for the Philippine Cup crown.

READ: Healthy AJ Edu ready to deliver for Gilas Pilipinas in Fiba Asia Cup

RJ Abarrientos and Troy Rosario, included in the pool by Cone and had trained for Gilas since the buildup began last July 7, were the two cuts and did not join the team when it left for Jeddah.

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Rhenz Abando and Zavier Lucero did not join the national team preparations for various reasons.

Gilas arrived earlier this morning for its final preparations for the Asia Cup, with a tune-up against Jordan slated Saturday.

The Philippines opens its campaign on the first day of the tournament against Chinese-Taipei.



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