By REYNALD MAGALLON
Magnolia forward Zav Lucero and free agent Rhenz Abando were added to Gilas Pilipinas ‘long list’ of players along with Ginebra’s RJ Abarrientos and Troy Rosario for the upcoming FIBA 2025 Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia next month.
The 6-foot-7 center and the athletic winger are the newest names to the pool while Rosario, who was once a reserve, and Abarrientos, who helped the Cone-mentored Gilas in the past as one of its practice players, are formally named as part of the list.
Cone, however, clarified that their addition is solely for the purpose of the Asia Cup and not the other tournaments like the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
“It has nothing to do with the World Cup, it’s just totally the Asia Cup,” said Cone at the end of the first Gilas practice at the Upper Deck in Ortigas on Monday, July 7.
“It’s a long list for the Asia Cup – the Asia Cup required us to do, They required us to put a long list together for the Asia Cup. So I think we put a team of 15, 16 players. Kai’s on that list too, but obviously, he’s not playing,” he added.
Abarrientos and Rosario were already present in the practice along with original Gilas members and Ginebra teammates Jamie Malonzo, Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar as well as CJ Perez of San Miguel and Calvin Oftana of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals-bound TNT.
Also in attendance were Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo and CJ Perez.
Lucero, for his part, is still on a vacation in the US while Abando is with Strong Group in its campaign in the Jones Cup in Taiwan.
Missing the first day of Gilas training was June Mar Fajardo along with AJ Edu and Justin Brownlee who both have yet to arrive in the country. Kevin Quiambao was also not around as he is still in Sacramento for his US training and bid to play in the NBA Summer League.
Players who are still part of the PBA playoff race only joined the meeting and viewing session while the rest did a light shooting workout.
