Gilas Pilipinas’ pool for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia has been cut to 13 players following the non-inclusion of Javi Gomez de Liaño and Jaydee Tungcab.

The two saw action in the final window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Clark, Pampanga, but will not join the national team when it flies to Serbia on Thursday, June 24.

According to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas special assistant to the president Ryan Gregorio, Gomez de Liaño sustained a quad muscle injury while training for the Clark qualifiers.

“He tried to shake it off by playing through it. Unfortunately, his natural movements were affected,” Gregorio said.

Averaging 14 points in the second window of the Asia Cup Qualifiers in Bahrain, Gomez de Liaño played sparingly in Clark, where he saw action in only one game.

“He will miss the OQT tournament in Serbia and was advised to rest and rehabilitate his injured quad muscles,” Gregorio said.

Meanwhile, Tungcab has been cut as the Gilas Pilipinas coaching staff opted for a taller lineup in the OQT, where world No. 5 Serbia and No. 19 Dominican Republic await in the group stage.

“With Dominican Republic and Serbia expected to utilize tall players, our coaches believe that it is a great opportunity for our big men to get valuable experience competing against quality big men from Europe,” Gregorio said.

Tungcab, though, remains a part of the national team pool.

“He is assured of another call-up after the OQT in Serbia,” Gregorio said.

With the two out, the Philippines will select its 12-man lineup from Kai Sotto, Angelo Kouame, Dwight Ramos, Justine Baltazar, SJ Belangel, RJ Abarrientos, Carl Tamayo, Mike Nieto, Isaac Go, and William Navarro.

Also vying for their roster spots are Jordan Heading, Geo Chiu, and Francis “LeBron” Lopez. – Rappler.com