Tim Cone Considers Line-Up Changes Against Australia
Justine Baltazar, RJ Abarrientos, and Troy Rosario may still have a chance to represent Gilas Pilipinas in an upcoming game against Australia. Though they were recently omitted from the squad for the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers match against New Zealand, they remain eligible for selection in the future.
Line-Up Changes for Upcoming Game Against Australia
The trio is part of the 18-man pool that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas submitted to FIBA before the qualifiers’ second window. This ensures their availability for the next game, reinforcing the idea that the selection process remains fluid.
Current Roster and Key Players
In the match against New Zealand, the chosen 12-man roster included notable players:
- June Mar Fajardo
- AJ Edu
- Quentin Millora-Brown
- Chris Newsome
- Calvin Oftana
- CJ Perez
- Kevin Quiambao
- Dwight Ramos
- Carl Tamayo
- Scottie Thompson
- Justin Brownlee (naturalized player)
Newcomer Juan Gomez De Liano joins the team as a rookie guard, bringing fresh talent into the lineup.
Coaching Insights
Head Coach Tim Cone expressed the challenges in finalizing the team. He stated, “We’ll see how things go. But no matter what happens, the players who don’t make it are still a part of the program and can be the next option in the upcoming window.” This emphasizes the encouraging environment within the team where all players feel valued.
As Gilas Pilipinas prepares for the match against Australia, the focus remains on adaptability and strategy, with potential adjustments to maximize team performance.
