RJ Abarrientos has finally made the Gilas Pilipinas roster for the opening window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
The Barangay Ginebra guard was named to the Final 12 for Gilas' away qualifier against Guam as head coach Tim Cone left out Juan Gomez de Liano of Converge, comebacking Jamie Malonzo, and his Ginebra teammate Troy Rosario.
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Joining Abarrientos in the Final 12 against Guam are Ginebra teammates Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, and Justine Brownlee, Chris Newsome, Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, June Mar Fajardo, Kevin Quiambao, Carl Tamayo, CJ Perez, and fellow newcomer Quentin Millora-Brown.
"We the staff had to make some really, really tough decisions coming in with the Final 12 because everybody came to work. And there's no reason for anybody to be in or out. Everybody probably should be in," admitted Cone on Monday during the sendoff for the national team courtesy of ArenaPlus, Cignal, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
"So we had to make the tough decisions of keeping Juan (Gomez De Liano), Troy and Jamie. We'll gonna keep them home and go with the 12."
Joining Cone in the event held at the VIP Lounge of The Upper Deck Sports Center were SBP executive director Erika Dy, Gilas program director Alfrancis Chua, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, and Jasper Vicencio, president of Total Gamezone Xtreme Incorporated.
Also present were the 12 players that will comprise the Gilas team for the opening window of the qualifiers.
"These 12 are all ready to go. We’re happy we got everything done," said Cone.
"I think we're ready and the players are focused. This is a very important window," echoed Chua of the significance of the two games Gilas will play against Guam.
Here are the Final 12:
The national team held its final practice on Monday also at The Upper Deck in Ortigas after breaking camp on Sunday afternoon at the Inspire Sports Center in Laguna.
The entire Gilas delegation is set to leave for Guam on Tuesday evening and then plays the home team on Friday at 5 p.m. at the University of Guam Calvo Field House.
The two sides meet again on Dec. 1 as Gilas hosts Guam at the Blue Eagle gym.
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