Barangay Ginebra guard RJ Abarrientos and Converge big man Justin Arana failed to make final 12 for Gilas Pilipinas which faces Jordan on Friday in the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Leading the charge for the host team against the Jordanians in the nightcap at 8:30 p.m. are 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto, 6-foot-11 AJ Edu and 6-foot-10 June Mar Fajardo who constitute a tall frontcourt for the Filipinos
Opening the second round of the qualifiers starting at 2 p.m. are Iran (5-1) and New Zealand (4-2) followed by Syria (2-4) and powerhouse Australia (6-0) at 5 p.m.
Other members of the final 12 include Chris Newsome, CJ Perez, Troy Rosario, Juan Gomez de Liano, Kevin Quiambao, Carl Tamayo, Dwight Ramos, Scottie Thompson and Justine Baltazar.
Naturalized player Justin Brownlee won’t be able to play as he continues to recover from multiple injuries he suffered in his knee, leg and hamstring.
The Philippines enters the first of its two home games with the need to beat Jordan on Friday and Iran on Sunday to galvanize its FIBA World Cup bid.
Gilas ended the first round with a 2-4 record.
Jordan enters the game tied with Iran in Group E with similar 5-1 records.
