MANILA, Philippines – Jordan Heading returns to Gilas Pilipinas duties, while Mason Amos debuts as they cracked the 12-man roster against Lebanon for the sixth and final window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Heading will don the national colors for the first time in over a year, giving the Filipinos much-needed shooting for their home game against the Cedars on Friday, February 24, at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Meanwhile, Amos – the youngest in the pool at 18 – will see action in his first FIBA game with the senior squad after starring for Gilas Youth.
Like Amos, naturalized player Justin Brownlee will debut for the national team as he links up with his Ginebra teammates Scottie Thompson and Jamie Malonzo against a Lebanon side that eyes to repeat over the Philippines.
The Cedars beat the Filipinos, 85-81, at home in Beirut in the fourth window last August.
Its frontline crippled no thanks to the absence of Kai Sotto, Japeth Aguilar, and Carl Tamayo, Gilas Pilipinas banks on June Mar Fajardo to hold the fort inside as the six-time PBA MVP plays his first Asian Qualifiers match.
Completing the roster are PBA standouts CJ Perez and Calvin Oftana and Japan B. League stars Dwight Ramos, Ray Parks, and Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena.
Head coach Chot Reyes will call the shots for the national team, with Tim Cone and Jong Uichico serving as his assistants.
– Rappler.com
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