Reyes keeps Gilas lineup intact for FIBA Asia

MANILA, Philippines – The Smart-Gilas Pilipinas roster for the FIBA Asia Cup has been finalized.

Head coach Chot Reyes will be taking with him nearly the same set of players that took home gold in the 34th William Jones Cup.

Headlining the squad his Jones Cup Most Valuable Player L.A. Tenorio, who recently got traded to Ginebra. The only new addition to the squad is Talk ‘N Text forward Jared Dillinger.

Guard Sol Mercado was cut from the team because FIBA doesn’t recognize his eligibility, Reyes said in a tweet.

FIBA doesn’t recognize SolMercados eligibility when he played for d Asian Games, just like Lassiter & Lutz case. Don’t ask me why

— Chot Reyes (@coachot) August 31, 2012

Shooter Garvo Lanete will not play in the tournament but will still fly with the team to Japan.

Here’s a full list of the 12-man roster:

L.A. Tenorio (guard)
Gabe Norwood (guard/forward)
Gary David (guard)
Jeffrei Chan (guard/forward)
Larry Fonacier (guard)
Jared Dillinger (forward)
Ranidel De Ocampo (forward)
Sonny Thoss (center)
Jay-R Reyes (forward/center)
Matthew Rosser (guard)
Enrico Villanueva (forward/center)
Marcus Douthit (center)

The FIBA Asia Cup will be held in Tokyo, Japan from September 14 to 22, 2012.

What do you think of the team’s roster? Is there a player that you think Coach Chot should’ve included in the lineup? Let us know, leave a comment. – Rappler.com