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MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The SMART Gilas Pilipinas will open their campaign against Japan on Friday, November 24, at the Komazawa Olympic Park Gym in Tokyo, Japan.
The Philippines is ranked No. 5 in Asia and 30th in the world. Japan, meanwhile, is at 8th place in the Asian rankings and 50th in the world.
Both countries are in Group B of the first round of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Game time in 6PM.
Gilas coach Chot Reyes announced in a live video on Kwentong Gilas’ Facebook page the 12-man team that will face the Japanese on Friday in their home turf.
Andray Blatche will once again reinforce Gilas as the team’s naturalized player while June Mar Fajardo, the reigning 4-time PBA Most Valuable Player, will add hustle and muscle for the team’s frontcourt. Veterans Jayson Castro, Calvin Abueva, Gabe Norwood and Japeth Aguilar return to provide leadership for Gilas which will also parade young gunners in Kiefer Ravena, Kevin Alas, Roger Pogoy, Matthew Wright, Troy Rosario and Allein Maliksi.
Terrence Romeo, Raymond Almazan, Carl Bryan Cruz and Mac Belo were not selected for the Japan game but they can still be chosen for the Chinese-Taipei clash on Monday, November 27, since the new home-and-away FIBA World Cup format allows teams to field in different lineups every after game.
Follow @RapplerSports on Twitter for live updates of the game.
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