WITH the sixth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers kicking off this month, Gilas Pilipinas is starting to get the commitment needed from the national team training pool members.
Fourteen cagers led by naturalized Filipino player Justin Brownlee showed up for practice at the Meralco Gym in Pasig last Monday, among them PBA stars June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer, reigning MVP Scottie Thompson of Ginebra, the Beermen’s CJ Perez, Roger Pogoyof TNT, the Kings’ Japeth Aguilar, Chris Newsome of Meralco, the Tropang Giga’s Calvin Oftana, Arvin Tolentino of NorthPort, Ginebra’s Jamie Malonzo, and the Bolts’ Raymond Almazan.
Incoming Japan B. League player Carl Tamayo was also there along with Mason Amos and Schonny Winston.
Pro league chief Willie Marcial was also at the venue to support the pool’s preparations under coach Chot Reyes and deputies Tim Cone and Josh Reyes.
The other members of the pool are Japan B. League campaigners and brothers Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Jordan Heading, Dwight Ramos, prized 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto, and naturalized center Ange Kouame.
The wards of Reyes will take on Lebanon on Feb. 24 and Jordan three days later in the sixth window of the Asian qualifiers at the 55,000-seat Philippine Arena.
Gilas failed in its golden mission in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam last May and missed the quarterfinals of the FIBA Asia Cup in Jakarta for the first time since 2007 last July.
The Filipino cagers ripped Saudi Arabia 76-63 last November 76-63 in Group E action of the fifth window in Jeddah.
Gilas also brought down Jordan 74-66 in Amman and improved to 5-3 heading into the February window.
