Fajardo, Pogoy join Gilas in AsPac qualifiers in Tokyo
Gilas Pilipinas will start its campaign for a slot to the Fiba World Cup 2019 as they visit Japan at the start of the Asia-Pacific Qualifying tournament today in Tokyo.
Gilas left the country last Monday for the start of the four-country home-and-away competition that will determine who will advance to the world stage which will be held in China on 2019.
Yesterday, Philippines coach Choy Reyes released the final 12 players who will be available for the Japan game.
Naturalized American player Andray Blatche leads the cast that includes 4-time PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo, fellow Cebuano Roger Pogoy, Japeth Aguilar, Troy Rosario, Jayson Castro, Matthew Wright, Calvin Abueva, Gabe Norwood, Kiefer Ravena, Allein Maliksi, and Kevin Alas.
Failing to make the cut because of health condition and usefulness against Japan were Raymond Almazan, who suffered a sprained ankle, Carl Bryan Cruz and Mac Belo.
However, the three are still part of the team including Terrence Romeo who failed to make the Japan trip also because of injury issues.
They will be assessed accordingly, when the Gilas will host Chinese-Taipei on Monday at the Smart Araneta Colisuem in Cubao, Quezon City.
Philippines and Japan were bound in Group B along with Australia and Chinese-Taipei in the first round, and will play a double-round-robin home-and-away format to determine who will advance to the second round.
Only six teams out of 16 Asia-Pacific hopefuls will advance to the world stage.
China, which will host the world championship automatically earned a berth, although they are playing in the qualifying stage.
You used your position of trust ... in the most vile way to abuse children. I agree that now is a time of healing, but it may take them a lifetime of healing while you spend your lifetime behind bars thinking about what you did in taking away their childhood. JUDGE ROSEMARIE AQUILINA