RJ Abarrientos, Zav Lucero, Rhenz Abando added to Gilas 'long list' ahead of FIBA Asia Cup

Zav Lucero has been added to Gilas' FIBA Asia Cup pool, even though it is still yet to be known if he is eligible as a local. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--RJ Abarrientos, Zav Lucero, and Rhenz Abando have been added to the Gilas Pilipinas pool, or what coach Tim Cone would call a "long list", for the FIBA Asia Cup.

The three players will join Gilas' "Core 12" of Scottie Thompson, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, CJ Perez, Jamie Malonzo, June Mar Fajardo, Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Carl Tamayo, Kai Sotto, Kevin Quiambao, and Justin Brownlee, as well as Troy Rosario, who was added ahead of the February window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Cone even summoned his rookie point guard at Ginebra when the national team began practicing on Monday at the Upper Deck in Pasig.

However, the PBA's winningest coach clarified that Abarrientos, Lucero, Abando, and even Rosario are unlikely to crack the pool beyond the FIBA Asia Cup, that is, the road to the 2027 FIBA World Cup.

"It has nothing to do with the World Cup, just totally the Asia Cup, and it's a long list that the Asia Cup required us to do," Cone said.

He also revealed that he still included Sotto in the long list even if the seven-foot-three giant is now ruled out for the FIBA Asia Cup as he continues to recover from his ACL injury.

Cone added that Aguilar, who is having a vintage performance so far in the PBA Philippine Cup, will likely start for Gilas in place of Sotto's absence.

"Japeth is the one filling in for Kai to continue to give us size," Cone further said.

The interesting case is that of Lucero, whose status as a Gilas local remains uncertain.

"The SBP is checking that out now, but he has handed in all his paperwork," Cone said about the Magnolia forward, who introduced himself in 2022 when he helped the University of the Philippines reclaim the UAAP men's basketball title after 36 years alongside Carl Tamayo.

If he gets cleared, that is, if he successfully proves that he got his Philippine passport before turning 16, Lucero could find himself teaming up again with Tamayo, this time wearing Gilas blue.

Lucero spent a vacation in the United States after the Hotshots' elimination from the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.

Abando, on the other hand, is currently practicing with Strong Group Athletics ahead of the Jones Cup later this month.

Cone said that Gilas initially scheduled a Tuesday practice, but due to his Gin Kings extending their semifinal series against the San Miguel Beermen to a Game 7 on Wednesday night, they called it off and will likely return later in the week, depending on the gym and player availability.

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