FROM an 18-man list, Gilas Pilipinas is now down to 15 players as the team enters its training behind closed doors at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna on Friday.
Coach Tim Cone said he has already stricken out injured players Kai Sotto and Calvin Oftana as well as naturalized big man Ange Kouame from the initial roster submitted to FIBA for the opening window of the World Cup qualifiers.
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That leaves Gilas three more players to be left out of the Final 12 who will comprise the lineup in its game against Guam on Nov. 28.
The 15-man list is made up of Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, Jamie Malonzo, naturalized player Justine Brownlee, June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Chris Newsome, Troy Rosario, RJ Abbarientos, Dwight Ramos, Quentin Millora-Brown, Juan Gomez De Liano, Carl Tamayo, AJ Edu, and Kevin Quiambao.
“We’re 15 basically and we got to cut to 12. We’re only taking 12 to Guam with us. But we’re 15 right now,” said Cone.
“These are going to be difficult decisions obviously. But the good news is these are all good guys and they know what they’re doing this for. And it doesn’t matter if they go in this window, they’ll still be a continuing part of the program.”
Cone said had they not been injured, both Sotto and Oftana would definitely be part of the Final 12.
“We will announce that (final 12) towards the end of the week,” said the Gilas coach. “You know who the obvious shoo-ins are, I don’t even need to tell you that.”
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