Gilas Pilipinas’ shrewd head coach, TIM Cone, unveils the formidable 12-man roster that will proudly represent the Philippines at the highly anticipated 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. After the FIBA World Cup, Chot Reyes resigned as head coach, necessitating a painstaking reassembly of the roster. As a result, this squad is replete with intriguing selections attracting attention.
The enigmatic forward from Magnolia, Calvin Abueva, and the dazzling guard from San Miguel, Terrence Romeo, are two notable additions to this lineup. These two exciting athletes each lend their brand of energy to the team. They join Gilas alongside veteran World Cup players, including the towering June Mar Fajardo, the soaring Japeth Aguilar, the sharpshooting RR Pogoy, and the ambidextrous Scottie Thompson. This roster also includes naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame and notable World Cup players Chris Newsome and Calvin Ofontana.
In addition to the familiar characters, the Gilas roster contains some new talent. During the first day of practice at the PhilSports Arena, Jason Perkins and Mo Tautuaa emerged as promising prospects and made a strong impression.
Coach Cone assured that this is the final 12-man squad to represent the Philippines in China triumphantly. As for Ginebra’s dynamic guard, Stanley Pringle, he is currently designated as the team’s alternate, or 13th man, a crucial position for supplying reinforcement in the event of injuries or unforeseen circumstances. If necessary, Pringle’s inclusion on the initial 60-man roster submitted to the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee guarantees a seamless transition into the final roster.
Seven squad members come from the SMC organization under the supervision of their athletics director Alfrancis Chua, the team manager. Jason Perkins, a standout for the Phoenix Suns, is the lone player outside these two groupings who represents the MVP faction.
Coach Cone is pleased with the balanced roster he has available. The team possesses a balanced combination of size, agility at the 3 and 4 positions, and guards and sharpshooters. He is confident that Gilas Pilipinas is well-equipped to tackle the challenges that await them at the Asian Games, given their talented and diverse roster.
In conclusion, the Gilas Pilipinas roster for the 19th Asian Games is an enticing blend of experience and freshness. Under the direction of Coach Cone, this basketball team is poised to leave an indelible mark on the international basketball scene, carrying the aspirations and ambitions of a nation devoted to the sport.
