Gilas pool for final FIBA World Cup Qualifying matches set

Yeng Guiao and the Philippines have some work to do. (c/o FIBA)

With the stakes higher than usual as they try to earn their qualification for the FIBA World Cup later this year in China, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has already finalized a set pool for head coach Yeng Guiao to play with.

On Tuesday afternoon, the SBP announced the composition of the 14-man team who will be involved in the remaining two matches in World Cup qualifying, led by naturalized big man Andray Blatche.

Blatche, who was notably left off the pool for the previous window, is joined by Japeth Aguilar, Raymond Almazan, Mark Barroca, Jayson Castro, Poy Erram, JuneMar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, Paul Lee, Gabe Norwood, Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Christian Standhardinger, and Scottie Thompson.

Standhardinger has been designated as the reserve naturalized option, while Pogoy still has to observe one more game to complete his five-match suspension before becoming available.

The Philippines is currently toting a 5-5 record, fourth place in Group F behind Australia (9-1), Iran (7-3), and Japan (6-4). To earn qualification, one need to finish in the top three, or finish fourth with the better record against the fourth placer of Group E, currently held by Lebanon (6-4).

After suffering painful losses at home to Kazakhstan (92-88) and Iran (78-70), Gilas will face Qatar at the Al-Gharafa Sports Club in Doha on February 21, before heading to the Republican Velodrome Saryanka in Astana to face Kazakhstan on February 24.

To prepare for these two matches, practices are set to resume starting Monday, January 21. The team will then head to the Middle East in the second week of February for some friendly scrimmages. The PBA has already stated that they will put a pause to league action starting February 14 until the end of the window.

SBP president Al Panlilio had this to say about the lineup revelation, "As this window is critical in our campaign, we would like to thank again the support of the PBA in making this PBA players available." He expressed his gratitude to his fellow members at the Board of Governors, which is led by its chairman Ricky Vargas, as well as to league commissioner Willie Marcial, for approving the release of the players for practices, as well as for the schedule adjustment.

Panlilio adds that Blatche is expected to arrive in the country by the first week of February. He also asked for Filipinos to continue to support the sport, sharing "We are requesting all the Filipino basketball fans to continue supporting our national team, coach Yeng and his staff and the SBP."