Gilas Pilipinas Philippines' National Basketball team pool announced

Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, Terrence Romeo, and Calvin Abueva are four of the 16 PBA players part of the Gilas Pilipinas pool.

Gilas Pilipinas pool announced

Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, Terrence Romeo, and Calvin Abueva are four of the 16 PBA players part of the Gilas Pilipinas pool.

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The national team pool was finally announced.

A list of 16 players from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) were named part of the Gilas Pilipinas pool that will compete in the FIBA Asia Championship in China from September 23 to October 3, according to a post on the PBA's official Twitter account Monday (August 3).

The players Baldwin requested from the PBA are:

Earlier reports said that Tenorio (health concerns), Fajardo (injury), and Pingris (personal matters) won't likely be part of the Gilas pool but the three remained on Baldwin's PBA wishlist.

Baldwin had expressed that the pool is a "working list."

Naturalized Filipino Andray Blatche, who suited up for Gilas in the FIBA World Cup last year, was not part of the list but is expected to be included in the final lineup.

Also missing is Troy Rosario, a Gilas Cadet and one of the top prospects in the upcoming PBA draft.

The journey before FIBA Asia

Baldwin, whose only goal is “to win the gold,” earlier stated that the pool will embark possibly to Turkey or Lithuania for a three-week training camp.

The national team is also slated to compete in a four-nation tournament in Manila in September as part of their preparation for the biennial tournament.

The other participating teams, aside from the Philippines, are New Zealand, Lebanon, and Chinese Taipei.

The competition

The winner of the FIBA Asia Championship will qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The silver and bronze medalists, meanwhile, will have to go through the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

The Philippines is bracketed in Group B with Palestine, Kuwait, and East Asian champion (Hong Kong or Mongolia).

Defending champion Iran was put in Group A with Japan, Malaysia, and the South Asia qualifier, while Group C will make up of Korea, Jordan, Singapore, and China.

Chinese Taipei, Lebanon, Qatar, and Kazakhstan are in Group D. - CNN Philippines

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PBA: It's Blackwater!

Expansion team Blackwater closed out its campaign on a high note when it stunned playoff-bound Meralco, 84-72, last night in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Import Marcus Douthit produced 27 points and 14 rebounds while center JP Erram scored a career-high 21 points, with seven rebounds and five blocks as the Elite finished their campaign with a 3-8 record.

Blackwater’s performance was obviously a marked improvement from the Philippine Cup when it failed to win in all 11 matches.

“Going into this game, regardless of being eliminated, gaining the experience and giving their (Elite players) hundred percent is part of the building process we are undergoing,” said Blackwater mentor Leo Isaac.

“Hopefully we can bring this to the next conference. We just wanted to end the second conference on a high note. We’ll enjoy the 10-day break, and then we’ll plunge back to practice on April 6.

“Maybe we can have a fresh start and new level of confidence (next conference),” added Isaac.

Reil Cervantes added 13 points off the bench since he was traded from Blackwater for Alex Nuyles.

Blackwater will have the luxury of signing an import with unlimited height for the Governors’ Cup since the team finished as one of the four-worst teams in the first two conferences.

Isaac said that while he is pleased with the performance of the 6-foot-10 Douthit, who took over from the injured Chris Charles, it is up to the management led by team owner Dioceldo Sy to decide whether to stick with the naturalized player of Gilas Pilipinas.

“Team management will meet with the coaches on Friday, by then baka may decision na,” said Isaac, who added that there is also a possibility for them to avail the Asian reinforcement.

“We have some names on our list, and if it pushes through, (we’re eyeing) a player from the Middle East na magaling siya lumaro. He played for his national team,” said Isaac, who refused to name the Asian import.

Meralco ended the elims with a 6-5 record, losing five of its final six games after a 5-0 start. The loss, however, proved meaningless for the Bolts as they had already secured a best-of-three quarterfinal duel with sister team NLEX Road Warriors.

The quarterfinals begin tomorrow at the Big Dome.

Jared Dillinger led Meralco with 15 points, Sean Anthony and Mike Cortez added 13 points apiece, while import Josh Davis had 11 and 20 boards.

Scores:

First Game

BLACKWATER 84 – Douthit 27, Erram 21, Cervantes 13, Heruela 7, Acuna 6, Bulawan 5, Gamalinda 3, Laure 2, Timberlake 0, Reyes 0, Golla 0.

MERALCO 72 – Dillinger 15, Anthony 13, Cortez 13, Davis 11, Wilson 7, Ferriols 5, Caram 3, Reyes 2, David 2, Buenafe 1, Ildefonso 0, Sena 0, Hugnatan 0, Macapagal 0.

Quarters: 26-23; 50-40; 66-46; 84-72.

Second Game

ALASKA 104 – James 29, Baguio 17, Abueva 16, Jazul 10, Hontiveros 9, Casio 5, Banchero 4, Thoss 4, Exciminiano 4, Manuel 2, Menk 2, Baclao 2, Eman 0, Dela Cruz 0.

GINEBRA 98 – Dunigan 32, Baracael 18, Aguilar 17, Tenorio 10, Urbiztondo 8, Slaughter 7, Caguioa 4, Monfort 2, Pena 0, Helterbrand 0, Ababou 0, Ellis 0.

Quarters: 29-23, 52-39, 78-69, 104-98 - Tempo

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