Romeo, Abueva lead 12-man Gilas FIBA Asia line-up

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Terrence Romeo and Calvin Abueva lead the 12-man Gilas Pilipinas pool set to compete at the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship later this month in China, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced Tuesday, September 8.

Mainstays Jayson Castro, Ranidel De Ocampo, Gabe Norwood and Marc Pingris are also included in the Philippine national men’s basketball team line-up that will vie for the gold and the accompanying slot at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Fil-Am Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson was not included in the final line-up.

“We did all that we could to have Jordan Clarkson join Gilas for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship but we are saddened to report that we are not able to beat the deadline to secure the necessary clearances on time,” the SBP said in its release.

The 23-year old player, whose mother Annette is from Pampanga, was recently in the Philippines and participated sparingly in one of Gilas’ practices. He then flew out to Taiwan to support the team during its first few games of the Jones Cup.

But Clarkson’s inclusion in the final line-up became doubtful as reports surfaced that the 6-foot-4 combo guard cannot miss mandatory Lakers training camp, which will coincide with the FIBA Asia. Clarkson would have only been able to play in Gilas’ elimination round games but not in the playoffs should the nationals advance in the tournament that runs from September 23 to October 3.

“The interest and passion of Jordan Clarkson himself with the full support of his family to don the Gilas jersey serves as a reason for SBP to be hopeful,” the SBP further explained in the statement.

“Though the doors on the 2015 FIBA Asia meet have been closed, the future of the national team program is encouraging with Clarkson’s desire to represent flag and country.”

Due to the scheduling conflict with the NBA, the SBP said in its statement it is looking to make a suggestion to FIBA for a change in schedule in the future.

“By this token, we will ask FIBA Asia to consider holding the tournament in the same manner as FIBA Americas, Europe, Oceania and Africa do, that is avoiding scheduling conflict with the calendar of the NBA,” the SBP said.

Players from the pool who saw action in the 2015 William Jones Cup and the pocket tournament in Estonia but missed the final cut are Gary David, Jimmy Alapag, Aldrech Ramos, Troy Rosario and Moala Tautuaa.

The nationals are set to play one final 4-nation pocket tournament, the MVP Cup, before flying out to Changsha, Hunan, China for the continental tilt.

They will be competing against the Taiwan national team, the Wellington Saints of New Zealand – both of which they’ve defeated in the Jones Cup – as well as last-minute addition Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, which replaced the Lebanon national team that backed out at the last minute. (READ: Talk ‘N Text to join MVP Cup in lieu of Lebanon)

See the full list of players for the Gilas line-up below:

— Rappler.com