The list of Gilas Pilipinas players who will compete against Chinese Taipei in the third window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Friday has been finalized.
Gilas head coach Chot Reyes revealed the 12-man roster over the team lunch at their hotel a day before the game.
Jayson Castro and naturalized Filipino Andray Blatche are once again at the forefront of the national team's rematch against a Chinese Taipei squad who is looking to defend its home floor. Joining the two are Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Matthew Wright, Gabe Norwood, Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Jio Jalalon and Allein Maliksi.
Baser Amer, Carl Bryan Cruz and Gilas Cadet Troy Rike failed to make the cut.
"Well, essentially, we were looking for a replacement for Kiefer (Ravena) and that was very naturally Terrence. We've always had an extra point guard who could put pressure and be a pesky defender, and that's the role of Kevin Alas or Jio Jalalon. That's why we kept those three point guards in the final twelve. And that leaves Baser Amer out of the rotation," Reyes told ESPN5.
"And then as for Carl Bryan Cruz, we felt, because (Chinese Taipei) zone so much we needed an extra zone buster and that's why we chose Allein Maliksi to play that extra shooter or extra zone buster role."
Gilas currently holds a 3-1 card in Group B of the Asian qualifiers, while Chinese Taipei is at 1-3. The home squad is looking to secure a victory against the Philippines to advance to the next round.
In their first encounter, Gilas beat Chinese Taipei, 90-83, at Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Castro and Fajardo carried the load on offense and combined for 37 points to overcome a subpar performance from Blatche (6 points on 2-for-9 shooting).
The national team has had three practices in Taipei since they arrived on Monday. Though there are still minor adjustments that need to be made, Reyes said he was pleased with their progress.
"You can see mentally that they're a lot more attuned with what we're trying to do. Admittedly there are still a few things we need to work on, but overall I'm satisfied with the way we're progressing," Reyes said on Wednesday.
"I like what I saw from the scrimmages... The flow is not as smooth as we want it to be, that's leading to some of the turnovers. But otherwise I like the energy and engagement. Hopefully that's enough to beat a very determined Taipei side."
The game between Gilas and Chinese Taipei will take place at Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium at 7 p.m. on Friday and will be aired live on ESPN5 and ESPN5.com.