As expected, naturalized player Andray Blatche and San Miguel superstar June Mar Fajardo have locked up their respective spots in the ‘Final 12’ of Gilas Pilipinas for the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup in China.
In a phone interview with CNN Philippines Wednesday, national team coach Yeng Guiao revealed at least six veteran players – led by Blatche and Fajardo – as shoo-ins, taking advantage of their vast international experience and proven skill set for the 32-nation basketball conclave.
Barangay Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar and Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood, who saw action for the Nationals together with Blatche and Fajardo in the 2014 World Cup in Spain, also got the nod along with TNT Katropa duo of Roger Pogoy and Troy Rosario.
While the Nationals appear to be all set upfront and on the wings, the guard rotation remains a perplexing puzzle for Guiao and the rest of the Gilas Pilipinas coaching staff.
Magnolia’s Mark Barroca and Paul Lee, owing to their steady plays and veteran savvy, are seen as the clear-cut favorites.
Meanwhile, comebacking guard Kiefer Ravena has earlier been considered by Guiao, his coach at NLEX, as “the most logical choice” to take over the spot vacated by long-time national mainstay Jayson Castro.
The final guard position should remain a toss-up between talented rookies Robert Bolick of NorthPort and Columbian’s CJ Perez. However, Bolick appears to have a decisive edge following his impressive showing in the Nationals’ training camp and a two-day pocket tourney in Malaga, Spain.
Guiao is also facing a tricky situation in filling out the third-string center, with NLEX’s JP Erram and Meralco’s Raymund Almazan, lanky big men who can also hit outside shots occasionally, strongly in the mix.
