JOSH Reyes now has his final 12-man roster for the 2018 Fiba Under-18 Asian Championship after Carl Tamayo was saddled with a foot injury, ruling him out of the competitions.
"He begged off," shared the youthful mentor as the Nazareth School of National University slotman was hounded by a foot injury he incurred from the 2018 Fiba Under-17 World Cup in Argentina.
"He's feeling pain in his foot that's causing discomfort and after discussing it with his coaches, we thought that it's better off to keep him home," said Reyes.
Tamayo begins his recovery as he plans to be in tip-top shape for the UAAP Season 81 juniors' tournament with the Bullpups.
Batang Gilas, on the other hand, will leave the country on August 3 for the continental tilt in Nonthaburi, Thailand from August 5 to 11.
Despite Tamayo's absence, the Philippines still has a formidable frontcourt bannered by Kai Sotto and AJ Edu.
Also included in the Smart-backed national youth team are other frontcourt players Raven Cortez, Bismarck Lina, and Geo Chiu, guards Dalph Panopio and Gerry Abadiano, and wingers Dave Ildefonso, Rhayyan Amsali, Miguel Oczon, Xyrus Torres, and Joshua Ramirez.
Batang Gilas is in Group B with China, Lebanon, and United Arab Emirates, with the top four teams earning a ticket to the 2019 Fiba Under-19 World Championship.
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