GILAS PILIPINAS PLUNGE INTO ACTION
Sans Jason Castro, Calvin Abueva to carry scoring cudgels for Gilas Pilipinas as they plunge into the Fiba Asia Qualifiers against Australia today
Gilas Pilipinas will miss its top point guard Jayson Castro but will have Calvin Abueva back in the lineup in its FIBA Asian Qualifiers game against Australia today at the Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne.
Castro, Gilas’ top scorer in the tournament, is out after twisting his ankle in a recent PBA game. The 31-year-old Castro is averaging 20 points in two games for the Gilas. He’s also the team’s assist leader with five per game and averages five rebounds. Another point guard, Jio Jalalon, is also out with an injury along with forwards Troy Rosario and Mac Belo.
Abueva, who was initially cut from the squad, has been called up for the Australia match. He has seen action in the first two games in the Asian Qualifiers and is averaging 6.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks in limited minutes.
Filling up the void at point guard are Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas. Other players in the roster are PBA reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo, Andray Blatche, Matthew Wright, Roger Pogoy, Japeth Aguilar, Allien Maliksi, Gabe Norwood, Carl Bryan Cruz and Abu Tratter.
Australia, who won’t be fielding any NBA players, is spearheaded by Brisbane Bullets’ power forward Daniel Kickert, Adelaide 36ers’ wingman Mitchell Creek and Sydney Kings’ point guard Jason Cadee.
Kickert leads the team in scoring with 18.5 points per game along with an average of 5.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Creek averages 11.0 points and 7.5 rebounds, while Cadee also averages double digits in scoring with 10.5 points along with 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals.
Gilas returns home and faces Japan on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.