MANILA – The star players of TNT, San Miguel, and Ginebra have been inserted to the initial pool of Gilas Pilipinas for the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
As confirmed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas on Thursday, the last two Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Most Valuable Players, Beerman June Mar Fajardo and Gin King Scottie Thompson, are placed as among those considered for the fifth window happening in November.
Also under consideration are SMB's CJ Perez, Ginebra's Japeth Aguilar and Arvin Tolentino, and TNT's RR Pogoy and Poy Erram.
Thompson and Aguilar played for Gilas during the fourth window last month, teaming up with Kai Sotto and Jordan Clarkson.
Perez, Fajardo, Pogoy, and Erram missed the cut last window as their teams duked it out in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
To give the said players ample time for national team duties, the three teams will have at least a nine-day rest near the tailend of the PBA Commissioner's Cup eliminations.
The Tropang Giga will be the first to sit out as their last game before the November window is on Nov. 5 against the Terrafirma Dyip and will return on Nov. 16 against the Meralco Bolts.
The Beermen and the Gin Kings will first face off on Nov. 6 but will only return on Nov. 16 and 18, respectively. (PNA)
