Long-time Nationals, young guns complete Gilas pool to FIBA WCQ

At age 30, Jayson Castro is the oldest among this year's Gilas pool. (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASIG—Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo, Paul Lee, June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, and Calvin Abueva lead the cast of the additions to the 24-man Gilas pool that will gear up for a busy 2017.

In a public announcement made on Sunday night at the PhilSports Arena in between the scheduled PBA doubleheader, the explosive combo guards of TNT, GlobalPort, and Star, the strong center of San Miguel, the high-flying forward of Ginebra, and the tenacious winger of Alaska spearhead the PBA veterans who will complete the training pool for the national team for the upcoming SEABA Championship, the FIBA Asia Cup, the SEA Games, and the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

Joining them in the pool are Rain Or Shine center Raymond Almazan, Mahindra point guard LA Revilla, sophomores Bradwyn Guinto (NLEX), Norbert Torres (Phoenix), and Arth Dela Cruz (Blackwater), and rookie Jonathan Grey (Meralco).

The Gilas Cadets, who were named last year, will stay in the national team pool.

Coach Chot Reyes, following the announcement, explained that he thought about the long-term run of Gilas heading to the 2019 FIBA World Cup, leading to a very young roster with the oldest at 30.

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