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| Japeth Aguilar is joining Gilas once more for the FIBA OQT along with Mason Amos. FIBA (file photo) |
TAGUIG--Gilas Pilipinas is bringing back Japeth Aguilar, while Mason Amos is making his FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament debut as they are named to the final 12-man roster in the Philippine team's last shot at making the Paris Olympics men's basketball event.
Both big men, who were named as injury reserves, will take the place of Jamie Malonzo and AJ Edu, who have both been ruled out for the OQT.
Malonzo suffered a calf injury during Ginebra's April 17 game against Terrafirma and was sidelined for the rest of the PBA Philippine Cup.
Edu, on the other hand, had to beg off due to lingering pain in his knee after suffering a meniscus injury last November during Toyama's Japan B.League game against Utsonomiya.
The 6-foot-10 power forward said last February that he was still hoping to make it in time for the OQT, but he eventually decided to sit out some more.
Remaining in the Gilas lineup are Calvin Oftana, Carl Tamayo, CJ Perez, Chris Newsome, Dwight Ramos, June Mar Fajardo, Justin Brownlee, Kai Sotto, Kevin Quiambao, and Scottie Thompson.
Gilas begins its training camp on Friday at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba City, but on Monday, they will play a tune-up game against TAT's Taiwan Mustangs at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Gilas will then fly out to Europe to conclude their training camp with friendlies against Poland and Turkey before joining the OQT from July 2-7 in Riga.
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