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Four players rejoin Gilas for King Abdullah Cup

Rey Suerte is making a Gilas return alongside three more players. FIBA (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Thirdy Ravena, Dave Ildefonso, Rey Suerte, and Matt Nieto are making their way back to Gilas Pilipinas as the national team heads to Amman for the King Abdullah Cup.

The four players, who both missed the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers and the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament over the midyear for various reasons, made the 15-man pool Gilas will bring to the Jordanian capital for the said tournament starting on Sunday.

Ravena sat out both FIBA sanctioned events as he took a breather following his pro debut in the Japan B.League.

Nieto, Suerte, and Ildefonso, on the other hand, suffered various injuries during training camp in Calamba prior to the ACQ window that Gilas hosted in Angeles.

Nieto will reunite with his twin brother Mike as the latter leads 11 holdovers from Gilas' ACQ and OQT team.

Completing the roster are RJ Abarrientos, Balti Baltazar, SJ Belangel, Geo Chiu, Isaac Go, Jordan Heading, Ange Kouame, Will Navarro, Dwight Ramos, and Carl Tamayo.

Gilas will be taking on the national teams of Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Egypt, and the main and developmental teams of Jordan in the said tournament from July 26-Aug. 1

Gilas will face Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan B, Tunisia, and Jordan in order during the elimination round.

The result of the July 28 match-up between Gilas and Jordan B will not be reflected in the team standings.

The top four teams will face off in the knockout semifinals on July 31 with the winners disputing the championship on Aug. 1.

The tournament is part of Gilas and Jordan's preparations for the FIBA Asia Cup in Jakarta later this August.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno

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