Gilas needs to submit 24-man pool on Friday — team manager Butch Antonio

AFTER submitting the final lineup for the William Jones Cup, Gilas Pilipinas’ next task is to present the 24- man roster for the FIBA Asia Cup tomorrow, July 8, before finalizing the 12-man unit and submit it to the organizing committee on or before July 25.

This was bared by Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio to BusinessWorld in a telephone interview.

“Coach Chot and Commissioner (Chito) Narvasa are always talking,” Mr. Antonio said. “We need to submit the 24-man this week. The 24man is easier because we can include the players who are in the pool. The hardest part is the final 12.”

Earlier, Mr. Reyes named the lineup for the William Jones Cup headed by second generation players Kiefer Ravena and Kobe Paras. They are two of the newest inclusions in the Gilas program along with import Mike Myers, and Fil- German center Christian Standhandinger.

They will join mainstays Jio Jalalon, Roger Pogoy, Matthew Wright, Kevin Ferrer, Mike Tolomia, Carl Bryan Cruz, Von Pessumal, Almond Vosotros, Fonzo Gotladera, Ed Daquioag, Raymar Jose and comebacking Mac Belo in the lineup.

Mr. Reyes also named the lineup for the Southeast Asian Games which will be held a few days after the FIBA Asia Cup.

In the SEA Games, Ray Parks, Gilas mainstay Troy Rosario, PBA up and coming star Baser Amer will join the other members of the team that will play in the William Jones Cup.

Meanwhile, Mr. Antonio said Gilas management is still negotiating with naturalized player Andray Blatche to reinforce the Philippine squad in the FIBA Asia Cup.

“We’re still talking. He wants to come in, but nothing has been finalized yet,” added Mr. Antonio.

Two years ago, the Philippines placed runner-up to China, which automatically gained an Olympic berth.

The Filipinos had to undergo through the qualifying stage, an event which it hosted last year, but the team failed to qualify after losing to powerhouse teams France and New Zealand in the group stage matches. —