EVEN though suspended for a game in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, Japeth Aguilar and Matthew Wright will still be part of the Philippine men’s team travelling to Iran for the opening window of the second round.
The two won’t be part of the 12-man roster of coach Yeng Guiao for the Sept. 13 game against Iran, but nonetheless are going to Tehran to continue practicing with the team since they will be eligible for the next game against Qatar in Manila on Sept. 17.
“We will still practice in Iran with the players who might be playing in the Qatar game kasi si Matthew and Japeth, one-game suspension lang yan, so kung hindi namin sila isasama, they will miss practice,” said coach Yeng Guiao.
“And we want to have them as options to play in the Qatar game because their suspension would have been served by that time,” he added. “So isasama na namin para makaka-ensayo sila.”
Aguilar and Wright were suspended a game each by FIBA following their roles in the July 2 brawl between the Philippines and Australia at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
As things stand, Guiao said two players could be cut for the coming qualifying window.
“Yung sigurado naman na hindi makakalaro ng two games, I think will have to stay,” said the national coach. So 12 plus two kung isasama yung suspended magiging 14. So may dalawang maiiwan.”
Guiao, who gave the team a break from training on Wednesday, has yet to announce the final 12-man team against Iran pending the eligibility status of big man Greg Slaughter before FIBA.
The team will leave for Tehran on Sept. 10.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
