By: Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
WITH some players out due to injuries, some first-timers were included and will be given the opportunity to prove their worth as part of the final lineup of Gilas Pilipinas for the FIBA World Cup.
CJ Perez and Robert Bolick, two of the most exciting rookies in the Philippine Basketball Association, made the cut heading into the final 12 and will join the Gilas mainstays.
Also included in the list are Andray Blatche, Paul Lee, Gabe Norwood, Japeth Aguilar, and June Mar Fajardo, who were part of the 2014 squad that qualified in the World Cup held at Spain.
Completing the list are Gilas vets but World Cup first-timers in Kiefer Ravena, Troy Rosario, Roger Pogoy, Mark Barroca, and Raymond Almazan.
Matthew Wright, who recently injured his foot, was not included in the list, same as streak shooter Marcio Lassiter, who also injured his knee.
Big men Beau Belga and Poy Erram also did not make the cut.
