GILAS Pilipinas is leaving no stone unturned in its final push to gain a ticket to the Paris Olympics.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas last Tuesday night added veteran center Japeth Aguilar and upstart slotman Mason Amos as alternates to the 12-man national team training pool of coach Tim Cone.
“We’re excited that Mason and Japeth agreed to be our alternates on Gilas,” Cone said in a statement. “The first window (of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers) showed us that we were a little thin in our line-up after AJ Edu, June Mar (Fajardo), and Jamie (Malonzo) missed our game versus Chinese Taipei due to injuries.
“We were left with only nine players and only Japeth as a replacement to make 10,” he added.
Cone said the 6-foot-9 Aguilar of Ginebra and 6-foot-7 Fil-Australian Amos will be called up in case of injuries, scheduling issues, and other unforeseen incidents, adding Amos, 19, who plays for Ateneo in the UAAP, will be one of the key cogs for the Philippines in the future.
“So now, Japeth and Mason will practice and travel with the original 12 and be ready to step in if the need arises,” Cone said. “If we lose one of our bigs, Japeth will step in. If any of the others, Mason will fill the hole.
“Mason, too, because of his youth, projects as one of the regulars over time.”
The Filipino cagers are bracketed with host and world No. 8 Latvia, and No. 23 Georgia in Group A in the Olympic qualifying tournament in July.
Gilas, ranked No. 37, must wind up in the top two of its group to advance to the crossover semifinals against the top two of Group B, which includes No. 12 Brazil, No. 17 Montenegro, and No. 67 Cameroon.
The winners of the crossover semis will clash for the lone slot in the Olympics.
Aside from the OQT, the Nationals will also resume their bid in the second window set for Nov. 21 and 24 after they completed a 2-0 sweep of the first round of the Asia Cup qualifiers last February.
