With less than a week to go before the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China, Gilas Pilipinas this time will be able to bank on not just talent and chemistry, but also experience.
The national team announced the final 12 line-up for this year’s edition of the Worlds, and almost half of the roster have had prior World Cup experience.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas have released the FIBA World Cup final 12 roster of the Gilas Pilipinas men’s national team on Sunday.
Headlining the 12-man line-up are five veterans of the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain: Andray Blatche, Japeth Aguilar, Paul Lee, June Mar Fajardo, and Gabe Norwood.
Gilas Pilipinas Final 12 Roster for FIBA World Cup 2019
-Japeth Aguilar
-Raymond Almazan
-Mark Barroca
-Andray Blatche
Even if Andray Blatche had a near triple-double of 19 points, 18 rebounds, and 9 assists in a remarkable do-it-all performance in Gilas Pilipinas’ 92-83 tune-up win over Australian Club team Adelaide 36ers, many other players stepped up for the national team.
A total of five players finished in double-digit scoring for the nationals, as they continue preparing for the 2019 FIBA World Cup which tips off in just a week’s time.
After an 18-month suspension, Kiefer Ravena will get to play basketball again and will play for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2nd tune-up game against the Adelaide 36ers of Australia tonight, August 25 at the Meralco Gym.
Although Gilas Pilipinas wing man Marcio Lassiter has officially been ruled out by head coach Yeng Guiao for the 2019 FIBA World Cup, the sharpshooter has full confidence in the team’s other players.
Guiao told media on Friday after Gilas’ 92-83 win over Australian side Adelaide 36ers that Lassiter will not be healthy enough to make the final cut.
Andray Blatche had an impressive near triple-double performance while Roger Pogoy came up with big shots as Gilas Pilipinas upended Australian club team Adelaide 36ers, 92-83 Friday night at the Meralco Gym in Ortigas.
As part of their preparation for the 2019 FIBA World Cup, Gilas Pilipinas will face the Adelaide 36ers in 2 tune-up games on August 23 and 25 at the Meralco Gym.
2 weeks before the start of the FIBA Basketball World Cup in China, FIBA released the latest Power Rankings where Gilas Pilipinas was ranked No. 19 out of the 32 teams who qualified for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.