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| Kai Sotto will officially make his Gilas return on Friday night against Jordan. Cesca Rampas (file photo) |
MANILA—Kai Sotto's return to Gilas Pilipinas is now made official as he cracks the final 12-man lineup for the national team's FIBA World Cup Qualifiers game against Jordan on Friday night.
The seven-foot-three beanpole will reinforce Gilas' frontline as he reunites inside the paint with AJ Edu and June Mar Fajardo.
Also returning are CJ Perez and Scottie Thompson, who sat out the third window of the race for spots in next year's FIBA World Cup.
Thompson, who has been Gilas' main ball handler, could find himself returning to his more comfortable shooting guard position with Juan Gomez de Liaño, who starred in Window 3, also in the "Final 12".
Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, and Kevin Quiambao are expected to have more pivotal roles at the wings with Justin Brownlee ruled out for the entire window.
Chris Newsome, Balti Baltazar, and Troy Rosario complete the Final 12 for Friday, the first time Gilas will field in an all-local roster in a long while.
Currently at 2-4, Gilas needs to dominate the interzonal phase of the qualifying round to have a chance at qualifying for the FIBA World Cup, beginning with a much-needed win against Jordan.
Jordan will banner the core of the team that finished sixth place in the Jones Cup led by Abdullah Olajuwon, the son of NBA legend Hakeem, and Ahmad Al-Dwairi.
Bolstering the Jordanians is naturalized player Jalen Harris.
