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    Cone explains why 'shoo-in' Almazan was left out of Gilas lineup

    Cone explains big's absence from Gilas team vs Lebanon
    Aug 22, 2022
    Raymond Almazan Meralco vs Ginebra
    PHOTO: Jerome AscaƱo

    IF not for a family matter, Raymond Almazan could have been with the Philippine men’s team to Lebanon for the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.

    Deputy coach Tim Cone made the disclosure about the Meralco big foregoing the chance to represent the country again as he had to tend to his elder son Jacob.

    Cone added the 6-foot-8 big would have been a shoo-in for the final roster against the Cedars had he been available for the August 25 outing at the Stade Nouhad Naufal Arena in Beirut.

    [READ: Clarkson heads 13-man Gilas lineup for Lebanon tie]

    “Raymond was super excited to join but had to beg off due to family issues regarding the health of his son,” Cone tweeted hours before the team's departure for Lebanon on Monday night.

    “He certainly would have made the 12.”

    As it is, the 33-year-old had to be left out of the 13-man team bound for Lebanon composed of Kai Sotto, Japeth Aguilar, Jamie Malonzo, Calvin Oftana, Carl Tamayo, Roosevelt Adams, Scottie Thompson, Chris Newsome, Ray Parks Jr. Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy Ravena, Dwight Ramos, and NBA star Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz.

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      Almazan did mention his son was confined in a hospital for almost a week during the Philippine Cup semifinals between Meralco and San Miguel Beer.

      It was also the same reason why the Meralco big man failed to regularly attend the Gilas practice shortly after the Bolts were eliminated from the playoffs.

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      PHOTO: Jerome AscaƱo
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