COACH Chot Reyes said a meeting of Gilas Pilipinas officials led by team manager Butch Antonio will be held on Aug. 23 to finalize the 12-man squad for the Fiba Basketball World Cup.
The world meet tips off in 10 days, but Reyes said a final lineup still cannot be set right now as key pool members were cleared to rejoin the squad only recently.
Gilas lineup update
The deadline for submission of final rosters is Aug. 24.
"I know a lot of people would've wanted to have an earlier announcement of the lineup or selection, but like I said, it's just been two days ago since nabuo tayo," Reyes told SPIN.ph.
"I hope you can imagine and understand the delay that we are experiencing," he added.
"We are finally complete. We have the 16 guys in practice," Reyes confirmed.
The last two players to rejoin the 16-man Gilas camp were Scottie Thompson and Kai Sotto, who dealt with hand and back injuries respectively.
"Scottie Thompson reported for full contact practice last Sunday and he's looking good. Walang limitations. He's now doing everything that everyone else is doing," Reyes said.
"Kai Sotto also rejoined us for full contact I think around the same day, Sunday if I'm not mistaken, and he's also doing everything that everyone else is doing," he added.
The Philippines opens its Fiba Basketball World Cup campaign on Aug. 25 against the Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
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