NEW-LOOKPHLSQUAD MEETS MIGHTY IRAN

After Asian Games stint, Team Pilipinas takes on Iran in Fiba World Cup qualifiers today

A new-look Philippine national team faces off with Asian rival Iran in the second round of the 2019 FIBA Asia World Cup Qualifiers at the Azady Gym in Tehran, Iran tonight.

The Philippines will be a very different team from the one that got involved in an unfortunate brawl with Australia last July 2 in the Philippines.

The Philippines won’t be with stars Jayson Castro, Andray Blatche and Terrence Romeo. Also out of the line-up from the previous squad are Calvin Abueva, Carl Bryan Cruz, Roger Pogoy, Baser Amer and Troy Rosario.

Japeth Aguilar and Matthew Wright, who were also with the previous team, won’t be suiting up tonight, along with Stanley Pringle, who are all included in the roster.

Christian Standhardinger has been chosen as the Philippines’ import for the game instead of Pringle. The other 11 players in the final 12, mostly players from the Asian Games squad, are Raymond Almazan, Beau Belga, Alex Cabagnot, Paul Lee, JP Erram, Marcio Lassiter, Allien Maliksi, Gabe Norwood, Ian Sangalang, veteran Asi Taulava and Scottie Thompson. The team is headed by coach Yeng Guiao.

“SBP is pleased with the roster that will play in Iran. We are praying that Coach Yeng’s final 12 will be able to compete and beat the strong Iranian team. We expect a more complete roster in our future tournaments when Fajardo and Slaughter are ready to serve and play together for flag and country,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio in a statement posted at Fox Sports.

Cebuano behemoths Junemar Fajardo and Greg Slaughter are both out due to injuries.

“It is unfortunate that Greg Slaughter’s injury has not fully healed yet. There is still swelling and contusion on his left ankle. We are very cautious not to rush his comeback as we don’t want to further aggravate his condition,” said Panlilio.

Slaughter announced on Twitter yesterday that he won’t be able to suit up for the Philippines.

The Philippines currently sits at third place in Group F with 10 points, from a 4-2 win-loss record, behind Australia and Iran. Australia, ranked No. 1, and Iran, ranked No. 2, both have 11 points, from identical 5-1 slates.

The last time the Philippines beat Iran was in 2015. The Philippines, then mentored by Tab Baldwin, crawled back up from a 10-point deficit to beat Iran, 8773. /

Gilas—that’s in the past... We want to be known as Team Pilipinas. ASI TAULAVA