MANILA – The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) will be fielding in a big Gilas Pilipinas lineup against South Korea when both teams face off in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers third window on Wednesday night.
As announced on Tuesday, the SBP named Kai Sotto, Ange Kouame, Isaac Go, Balti Baltazar, Carl Tamayo, Dwight Ramos, RJ Abarrientos, SJ Belangel, Javi Gomez De Llano, Mike Nieto, Will Navarro, and Jaydee Tungcab as Gilas' chosen dozen against the Koreans in the first of two meetings during the bubble window at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.
With the majority of the roster listed at 6'5" and above led by 7'3" Sotto and 6'11" Kouame, Gilas is bringing in its tallest lineup ever.
Gilas will be facing a South Korean side consisting of Korean Basketball League young guns Kim Nak-Hyeon, Jeon Seong-Hyen, Kang Sang-Jae, Song Kyo-Chang, Byun Jun-Hyung, Lee Seoung-Hyun, Yang Hong-Seok, highly touted teenage players Lee Hyun-Jung and Yeo Jun-Seok, gritty veterans Lee Dae-Sung and Lee Jung-Hyun, and naturalized player Ricardo Ratliffe, who also goes by the name Ra Gun-Ah.
Interestingly cut from the Gilas roster for the Wednesday night match is former Alab Pilipinas point guard Jordan Heading, who is groomed to be the "next man up" due to the injury of Matt Nieto.
However, Coach Tab Baldwin said Heading also suffered a hip injury during training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba.
Baldwin said Heading is already recovering and will play for Gilas against Indonesia on Friday night.
Also cut for Wednesday night are Geo Chiu and LeBron Lopez, but they too are expected to be inserted to Gilas' roster against Indonesia. (PNA)
