MANILA, Philippines – With hardly a surprise, Kai Sotto headlines Gilas Pilipinas’ 12-man lineup for its away game against Jordan in the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Sotto will don the national colors for the third straight Asian Qualifiers match as he teams up with the likes of PBA standouts CJ Perez and Roger Pogoy, who will return to national team duty after missing the previous windows.

Pogoy last played for the country in the Southeast Asian Games in May, while it will be the first Gilas Pilipinas appearance for Perez since he played in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers nearly two years ago.

Although unable to practice with the team back in the Philippines as he fulfilled his commitment to the Adelaide 36ers, Sotto still cracked the roster as Gilas Pilipinas banks on his inside presence to beat Jordan on the road.

The 7-foot-3 big man is the Philippines’ leading rebounder and shot-blocker in the Asian Qualifiers, norming 10.5 rebounds and 3 swats in two games on top of his average of 13 points.

Joining Sotto, Perez, and Pogoy in the lineup are Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, Jamie Malonzo, Calvin Oftana, Ray Parks, and Dwight Ramos, players who all saw action in the previous window.

Angelo Kouame will serve as the Philippines’ naturalized player, while Poy Erram and Kevin Quiambao complete the roster.

Thirdy Ravena ended up as the last cut as Gilas Pilipinas, mentored by head coach Chot Reyes and deputies Tim Cone and Jong Uichico, brought a total of 13 players to Jordan.

Toting identical 3-3 records in Group E, the Philippines and Jordan lock horns at the Prince Hamzah Hall in Amman at 12 am on Friday, November 11 (Manila time). – Rappler.com

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HIGHLIGHTS: Philippines vs Jordan – FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers 2022