Sports
Coach Yeng Guiao announces new 20-man pool, Blatche, Romeo missing
FILE: “OUR 20 MAN POOL FOR FIBA WC ASIAN QUALIFIERS 5TH WINDOW Who’s your final 12?” (Photo: @migs.dsgn/Instagram)
In anticipation for Gilas Pilipinas’ next game for the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Coach Yeng Guiao announced the final twenty names he chose for his lineup on Tuesday, November 6.
The names included are: Jayson Castro, Paul Lee, Stanley Pringle, Alex Cabagnot, LA Tenorio, Matthew Wright, Marcio Lassiter, Ricci Rivero, Scottie Thompson, Gabe Norwood, Troy Rosario, Arwind Santos, Japeth Aguilar, Greg Slaughter, June Mar Fajardo, Beau Belga, Christian Standhardinger, JP Erram, Ian Sangalang, and Kai Sotto.
Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) Inc. President Al Panlilio is in agreement with Coach Yeng’s decision, proudly stating, “We are very happy to announce that both the SBP and the PBA support the proposal of coach Yeng Guiao. This is the best team ever formed to actually represent the Philippines in the international competition.”
Numerous expected both Andray Blatche and Terrence Romeo to be in the pool as well as they are eligible for the game against Iran, however, Coach Yeng explained his decisions. About Blatche in particular, he said, “It was really a hard decision on our part, but we took into consideration the chemistry that has been built up from the Asian Games.” He added, “There’s a really strong bond among the members and we want to preserve that.” When it came to Romeo, Guiao said that Romeo would have difficulty working with the team that is already filled with numerous talented guards, explaining the “consensus.” He states, “There’s just too much talent. Aside from the coaching staff, we also sought the approval of the PBA and the SBL and they supported the decision.” However, he assures that Romeo “is going to be considered in the next window.”
Team Philippines will be battling it out with host Kazakhstan on November 30 then Team Iran on December 3, both games held at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay.
