Scottie Thompson, June Mar Fajardo headline Gilas' initial pool for WCQ Window 5

After missing out on the previous window due to his eventually successful PBA Philippine Cup Finals conquest, June Mar Fajardo finally get a chance to suit up for Gilas in the FIBA WCQ. Dennis Acosta (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The last two PBA MVPs are under consideration for Gilas Pilipinas' lineup for the November window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced on Thursday that June Mar Fajardo, the top player for Season 44, and Scottie Thompson, the Season 46 MVP, have been inserted into Gilas' initial pool for the fifth window.

Also included in the initial pool are CJ Perez, Japeth Aguilar, Arvin Tolentino, Poy Erram, and RR Pogoy.

The development came after the SBP confirmed that San Miguel, Ginebra, and TNT agreed in principle with Gilas coach Chot Reyes, also the Tropang Giga's coach in the PBA, to make their players available for the window.

The release of the PBA Commissioner's Cup schedule on Wednesday somehow gave a hint about it as the three teams don't have a game from Nov. 9-13, the period of the WCQ fifth window.

The Tropang Giga will be the first to take a breather as their last game before the November window is a Nov. 5 match-up against the Terrafirma Dyip.

The Beermen and the Gin Kings will face off the following night but will only return to action on Nov. 16 and 18, respectively.

Both Aguilar and Thompson were part of Gilas' lineup for the fourth window last month, teaming up with Jordan Clarkson and Kai Sotto.

Meanwhile, Fajardo, Perez, Pogoy, and Erram get a chance to finally crack Gilas' lineup after missing out on the previous window for being PBA Philippine Cup finalists.

According to the SBP, the remainder of the pool will come from the Japan B.League and UAAP players as well as those already part of the national training pool.

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