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| Terrence Romeo, who was in the reserves list in Gilas 1, gets a Gilas 3 call-up. Dennis Acosta |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--Seven PBA stars who played in the 2014 FIBA World Cup got another Gilas Pilipinas call-up, while nine more also made the list as the league released its Gilas pool for the FIBA Asia Championship, a qualifying event for the 2016 Summer Olympics, on Monday.
Talk 'n Text's Jayson Castro, a Mythical Five member of the last staging of the FIBA Asia Championship in the Philippines in 2013, joined fellow Texter Ranidel De Ocampo, Meralco Bolt Gary David, and Rain Or Shine Elasto Painter Gabe Norwood in the list of the returnees from the 2013-2014 team.
Also included among the Gilas 2 standouts were reigning league MVP Junemar Fajardo, Marc Pingris, and L.A. Tenorio. However, Fajardo and Tenorio initially begged off from Gilas duties. Fajardo revealed a foot injury, while Tenorio did not further explain his own health issue.
Pingris, on the other hand, had to attend family matters in France, but he will likely return for the training camp, which will start later Monday.
Meanwhile, Gilas 1 players Kelly Williams and Asi Taulava also got included to the new Gilas pool. They played for the original Gilas squad of Coach Rajko Toroman captained by Chris Tiu in 2011.
The PBA also announced the inclusion of Calvin Abueva and Terrence Romeo to the Gilas pool. Abueva and Romeo, who starred in the recently-concluded FIBA 3x3 Manila Masters, got the call-up for the first time in their respective careers.
Also getting first-time Gilas pool inclusions were Matt Rosser, Aldrech Ramos, J.C. Intal, Sonny Thoss, and Dondon Hontiveros.
The 16 locals, which could become more depending on the players' availability, will join naturalized center Andray Blatche in the practices.
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