Gilas scrounging for Asia Cup roster

MANILA, Philippines – The Gilas Pilipinas lineups for both the Jones Cup and the SEA Games have been finalized, but still up in the air is the makeup of the Philippine squad to the FIBA Asia Cup just three days before the deadline for the submission of lineup.

PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa said the matter is between Gilas and the PBA ball clubs.

“Gilas is talking to PBA coaches and the managements because the Beirut event is not a qualifying tourney to the World Championship. If it’s an event leading to the world, there’s no problem as it’s already approved by the PBA,” Narvasa told The STAR.

The PBA chieftain said a big concern is the security in Lebanon which is adjacent to the strife-torn Syria.

 “It’s the concern more than anything else. If it’s just basketball, I think the teams will let their players go. But the question is can you assure our safety. Ako ayaw kong pumunta don (As for me, I don’t want to go there),” said Narvasa.

Lebanon had been awarded the hosting rights for the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship but had to give it up due to security concerns. The event was then moved to Manila where Gilas Pilipinas placed second to Iran.

For this FIBA Asia Cup slated Aug. 8-20, Gilas is obviously eyeing the services of the players—June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Troy Rosario, Calvin Abueva, Raymond Almazan, Allein Maliksi, Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo, Jio Jalalon, Matthew Wright, RR Pogoy—that composed the triumphant Gilas team in the SEABA Championship.

The team is also in talks with naturalized player Andray Blatche.

On Tuesday night, Gilas coach Chot Reyes bared their final lineup for the Jones Cup on his Twitter account.

Mac Belo is set to return into action as he’s tapped in the Jones Cup lineup along with fellow Gilas cadets Wright, Pogoy, Jalalon, Mike Tolomia, Carl Bryan Cruz, Von Pessumal, Kevin Ferrer, Ed Daquiaog, Alfonso Gotladera, Almond Vosotros, Gilas returnee Kiefer Ravena, new recruits Kobe Paras, Raymar Jose and Christian Standhardinger and import Mike Myers.

Jones Cup organizers allow a roster of more than 12 players but a maximum of only 12 are to be fielded per game.

After the Jones, Paras, Ravena, Jose, Tolomia, Vosotros, Pessumal, Cruz, Standhardinger and Ferrer team up with Rosario, Baser Amer, Ray Ray Parks for the Gilas team to the SEA Games.

Gilas plays in the Jones Cup in Taipei on July 15-23 as part of its buildup for the Kuala Lumpur SEAG on August 19-30.

In the Jones Cup, the Nationals test their mettle against nine teams in nine straight games.

They start their Jones Cup campaign versus Cadana’s 3D Global Sports then take on Taipei A, Taipei B, Japan, Korea, Iraq, Lithuania, India and Iran.

In the SEAG, Gilas will be pitted against the same rivals it faced in the SEABA Championship.