Ankle sprain keeps TNT’s Castro from joining Nationals

Game Today (Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne) 4:30 p.m. – Australia vs Philippines

Gilas Pilipinas will be missing one of the heroes from past battles today when it seeks a giant-sized upset of host Australia at the resumption of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at the Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne, Australia.

Jayson Castro won't be available for the 4:30 p.m. Manila time (7:30 p.m. local time) battle for the lead in Group B, leaving Gilas with another obstacle to hurdle with the Aussies expected to capitalize on their height advantage.

Coach Chot Reyes said yesterday that Castro was left out of the 12-man roster after sustaining an ankle injury during TNT KaTropa's PBA Philippine Cup game against Phoenix two weeks ago, his condition showed little improvement despite suiting up for his team days later against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

“We tried to go hard in (Tuesday's) practice and still he was not there at all so we decided that it was not worth the risk,” Reyes told Sports5 through Facebook live, adding that Jio Jalalon was also left out because of a slight pain in his leg.

Composing the Gilas lineup will be naturalized player Andray Blatche, June Mar Fajardo, Kiefer Ravena, Calvin Abueva, Matthew Wright, RR Pogoy, Gabe Norwood, Japeth Aguilar, Carl Bryan Cruz, Allein Maliksi, Kevin Alas and amateur Abu Tratter.

Reyes is banking on Ravena and Alas to fill the huge void left by Castro, expressing confidence that the NLEX backcourt duo would be able to hold their own against their Australian counterparts for the crucial tie.

“Well all know Kiefer, he accounted himself very well in the first window so it's hard not having our top point guard but this is an opportunity for Kiefer to step in, and also for Kevin to get a lot more minutes than he usually gets,” Reyes said.

The game will also be a chance for Abueva to repay Reyes' renewed faith after he was initially ruled out of playing in the second window for failing to attend the initial practices.

Abueva was able to get his spot back when Gilas