Gilas is now set to take on Chinese Taipei. Denver Lachica (file photo) |
By Gil Mar Moriones
MANILA--The Philippine men's national basketball team is already in Taipei for one of the last two matches for the Third Window of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers this Friday.
And on Thursday, Coach Chot Reyes released the 12-man pool lineup against Chinese Taipei.
Included to the lineup are PBA stars Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo, Jio Jalalon, Matthew Wright, RR Pogoy, Calvin Abueva, Troy Rosario, June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Allein Maliksi, and Gabe Norwood together with naturalized player Andray Blatche.
Gilas already secured the spot for the second round of qualifiers with a 3-1 record in the standings, while Chinese Taipei, with a 1-3, record are on the brink of elimination as they need this game are on their favor to clinch third and last ticket to second round of the Asian qualifiers.
Last November, Chinese Taipei suffered a 90-83 loss in their first meeting with Gilas at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After the Taipei match, the national quintet will heading to Philippine Arena in Bocaue for the exciting rematch against Australia on July 2, wherein NBA Star Matthew Dellevadova is expected to play.
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