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| After he was inserted at the last minute during the February window, Japeth Aguilar is now part of the Gilas pool along with Mason Amos. FIBA (file photo) |
BIÑAN—Japeth Aguilar is now officially a part of the Tim Cone-led Gilas Pilipinas pool as announced by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas on Tuesday night.
Aguilar was brought in as an injury replacement for Gilas during the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
However, Cone remained keen to keep his original 12-man lineup back then.
This time, the PBA's winningest coach is bringing his high-flying Ginebra big man back to the national team pool.
Cone also called up Ateneo stretch big Mason Amos to the Gilas pool, joining La Salle's Kevin Quiambao as the only amateur standouts in the pool mainly made up of pros.
The SBP said in a statement that Gilas is "looking to avert another manpower shortage as in the recent past" by recruiting Aguilar and Mason.
Cone, though, clarified that both players will be "alternates" and will come on as injury replacements.
“We’re excited that Mason and Japeth agreed to be our alternates on Gilas,” said Cone.
“The first window showed us that we were a little thin in our lineup after AJ Edu, June Mar [Fajardo], and Jamie [Malonzo] missed our game versus Chinese Taipei due to injuries, and we were left with only nine players and only Japeth as a replacement to make 10. So now, Japeth and Mason will practice and travel with the original 12 and be ready to step in if the need arises.”
Cone added that Aguilar will be quickly activated if one of the original pool members becomes unavailable while Amos could join if a second player misses a Gilas game too.
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