Ailing Lassiter out of Team Gilas Last 14

MANILA, Philippines - Gilas Pilipinas will be one sharpshooter less when it sets out for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament next month as it dropped Marcio Lassiter from the 14-man pool due to health reason.

Lassiter, probably the best pure shooter in the Gilas 24-man provisional roster, had to give up his spot as he’s still recovering from bronchopneumonia.

Changsha FIBA Asia holdovers Andray Blatche, Ranidel de Ocampo, Marc Pingris, Gabe Norwood, Calvin Abueva, Jayson Castro and Terrence Romeo, and Gilas returnees June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Jeff Chan and LA Tenorio banner the list slugging it out for the Final 12 that will don the national jersey in the FIBA OQT at the MOA Arena on July 5-10.

Tropang TNT players Ryan Reyes and Troy Rosario, and NBA D-League veteran Bobby Ray Parks also vie for a spot in the Gilas squad that will try to get the Philippines back in the Olympics since the 1972 Munich Games.

The Gilas delegation, led by coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Butch Antonio, leaves for Europe tonight, taking the 9:30 p.m. Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul to catch a connecting flight to Athens. From there, they go on a three-hour road travel to Kapenici to pitch a nine-day training camp.

The European jaunt serves as  the most crucial part of Team Gilas buildup in its mission  to end the country’s decades of absence in the Olympics.

“We left out Marcio because of health reason,” Antonio told The STAR.

“He showed up in practice last Sunday, saying he needs to get better and get well while working on his own rehab. He said he’ll see his doctor on Saturday (tomorrow) for clearance,” Antonio said.

The Gilas team manager said they’ve yet to totally close the door on Lassiter but stressed the Gilas 1 stalwart has to catch up in Greece if he’s still to be considered for the Final 12.

“Greece is where we’re holding a boot camp. After Greece, we’re already playing games in Istanbul and in Bologna,” said Antonio.

“Right now, we’re looking at our 14,” Antonio also said, adding they have no other health issues outside of Lassiter’s.

“Jeff Chan didn’t suit up in the Iran tune-up game so he can rest and be ready for the Greece training,” said Antonio.

Sans Lassiter, Gilas is left with only Chan and Reyes as legitimate outside gunners.

On June 26 in Bologna, Baldwin has to decide on his Final 12, making the announcement on a teleconference with the SBP officials to be covered live by TV5.

Gilas flies back to Manila on June 27 or eight days before the opening of the Manila OQT where the Nationals take on the French squad in the main game.