MANILA, Philippines – Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson and San Miguel’s Alex Cabagnot are among the key additions in the 12-man roster as Team Pilipinas takes on Iran in the FIBA World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers on Thursday, September 13. 

Greg Slaughter, who has recently been cleared by FIBA to play as a local player, wasn’t lined up due to injury but still left with the 16-man pool that left for Tehran, Iran with coach Yeng Guiao late Monday.  

Filipino-German Christian Standhardinger was also chosen over playmaker Stanley Pringle as the team’s naturalized player. 

Rounding up the squad are Marcio Lassiter, Raymond Almazan, Beau Belga, Gabe Norwood, Paul Lee, JP Erram, Allein Maliksi, Ian Sangalang and Asi Taulava.

The Filipinos are set to face Iran at 8:30 pm (Philippine time) on Thursday in the fourth window of the qualifiers. 

Guiao left for Tehran with a 16-man pool that includes Slaughter, Pringle, Matthew Wright and Japeth Aguilar.  

Thompson last represented the country in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games in Singapore, while Cabagnot and Magnolia’s Sangalang will debut for the national team.

Lassiter donned the Phiippine colors in the 2011 SEABA Championship in Jakarta, while Blackwater’s Maliksi last represented the country in the 2017 SEABA Championship. 

Guiao has taken over Gilas’ remaining international campaigns as the suspended Chot Reyes  stepped down as head coach on Tuesday night, September 11. – Rappler.com