LUCKY 13?
PBA stars led by reigning MVP Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, and Jamie Malonzo of Ginebra, San Miguel Beer’s CJ Perez, Roger Pogoy, Calvin Oftana and JP Erram of TNT spearhead the 13-man Gilas Pilipinas team that left last Monday night for Amman for the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
Thirdy Ravena, along with their Japan B. League mainstays Dwight Ramos and Bobby Ray Parks Jr., and prized 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto also made the trip along with Ange Kouame of Ateneo and La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao.
Kiefer Ravena failed to join the nationals after he underwent a tooth extraction procedure, while the NorthPort duo of Arvin Tolentino and Will Navarro, and Francis Lopez were cut from the 20-man training pool.
Star San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo (throat), guard Chris Newsome of Meralco (calf), and University of the Philippines big man Carl Tamayo (ankle) were earlier ruled out of the squad.
Gilas battles Jordan in Group E on Friday before taking on Saudi Arabia also on the road on Nov. 14.
Gilas absorbed a numbing 81-85 loss to Lebanon last August but redeemed itself with a runaway 84-46 drubbing of Saudi Arabia three days later to hike its mark to 3-3 heading into the November window of the qualifiers.
