Rhenz Abando set for Gilas debut in friendly series vs. SoKor

Rhenz Abando is making his Gilas debut in South Korea. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Rhenz Abando is set to get some piece of international basketball action as he is among those chosen to play for Gilas Pilipinas in a two-game tune-up series against South Korea this upcoming weekend.

Abando, the newly-crowned NCAA rookie-MVP, is part of Gilas' 12-man lineup that will travel to Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea to play the Korean squad in the friendlies from June 17-18, which will serve as part of their build-up for the third window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

This will be the six-foot-two high-flying wingman's first appearance for Gilas.

Completing the cast for Gilas are RJ Abarrientos, SJ Belangel, Geo Chiu, Dave Ildefonso, Ange Kouame, LeBron Lopez, Will Navarro, Kevin Quiambao, Kiefer Ravena, Dwight Ramos, and Carl Tamayo.

Ravena, Navarro, and Ramos, being the only pro players selected to the team, will be leading the charge for Gilas against South Korea, to be led by former PBA import Ricardo Ratliffe.

This also means Ravena will be playing for Gilas in the meantime as the uncertainty on whether he will play for NLEX this PBA Philippine Cup remains.

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