THE PBA fulfilled a promise on Monday when all 16 players named by coach Yeng Guiao in his Philippine team pool showed up for its first practice session at the Meralco Gym.
Scottie Thompson and Greg Slaughter of Ginebra, the San Miguel backcourt duo of Alex Cabagnot and Marcio Lassiter, and Magnolia bruiser Ian Sangalang all appeared for the first start of the buildup for the second round of the 2019 Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers.
Also present was the core of the team which finished fifth in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, namely indefatigable slotman Christian Standhardinger of San Miguel, Magnolia ace guard Paul Lee, and NorthPort spitfire Stanley Pringle bannering the crew, together with Blackwater center JP Erram, NLEX veteran Asi Taulava, and Rain or Shine trio Gabe Norwood, Raymond Almazan, and Beau Belga.
Ginebra forward Japeth Aguilar and Phoenix sniper Matthew Wright also rejoined the national team, though they are set to serve their one-game bans in the September window.
Allein Maliksi completed the roster for the night.
The Philippine team is preparing for its games in the second round of the qualifiers away to powerhouse Iran on September 13 in Tehran before flying back home to meet Qatar on September 17 at Smart Araneta Coliseum in a closed-door setting.
Guiao had his full staff for the maiden practice session with Rain or Shine coaches Caloy Garcia and Ricky Umayam, NLEX assistant Ford Arao, and Ryan Gregorio, the newly appointed special assistant to SBP president Al Panlilio.
The session also drew solid support from the PBA, spearheaded by commissioner Willie Marcial, Blackwater governor Dioceldo Sy, and NLEX executive Ronald Dulatre.
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