Rhenz Abando cleared to play in FIBA Asia Cup for Gilas

Rhenz Abando. FIBA (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Gilas Pilipinas will be 12-man strong for the FIBA Asia Cup after all.

Team Manager Butch Antonio confirmed on Tuesday that Rhenz Abando has been cleared to join the national squad for the said event, which has gone underway as of posting at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta.

Antonio made a plea during the technical meeting on Monday night for the inclusion of Abando to Gilas as the injury replacement to Dwight Ramos, who will take the tournament off to recover from shin splints.

Following the approval, Abando, who was among the more consistent players during Gilas' busy mid-year which include the two-game series against South Korea and the third window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, can now join the Nationals as they look to top Group D in the preliminary round, which also has New Zealand, India, and Lebanon in it.

Gilas will face Lebanon on Wednesday night.

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