Gilas Pilipinas Faces 11-Man Roster Challenge
Gilas Pilipinas will contend with an 11-man crew in the upcoming Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia. Guard Scottie Thompson is the latest player to be excluded from the national team as he hasn’t fully recovered from a bulging disc that plagued him during Ginebra’s campaign in the recently concluded Philippine Cup.
Injury Update and Team Adjustments
Team manager Richard Del Rosario confirmed the exclusion of the 30-year-old guard for the July 2-7 qualifier for the Paris Olympics. Thompson joins fellow injured players Jamie Malonzo and AJ Edu on the sidelines.
Due to the proximity of the team’s departure, Gilas may not be able to find a last-minute replacement for Thompson. Reserves Japeth Aguilar and Amos Mason are set to take the places of Malonzo and Edu in the team.
Visa Challenges for Replacement Players
Del Rosario mentioned the difficulties in securing a visa for any potential replacement in time for the qualifiers. “Wala pang sigurado (na kapalit) kasi kailangan ng visa. Baka hindi umabot,” said Del Rosario on Friday, when the team began its three-day, closed-door training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna.
Upcoming Matches in Europe
Gilas Pilipinas is scheduled to leave for Europe on Tuesday to play a pair of friendly matches against the national teams of Turkey and Poland. These matches will be crucial for the team as they prepare for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Group Bracket and Tournament Structure
The Philippines is bracketed with Georgia and Latvia in Group A, while Group B will feature Cameroon, Brazil, and Montenegro. Only one team from the qualifiers will advance to the Paris Olympics.
| Group A Teams | Group B Teams |
|---|---|
| Philippines | Cameroon |
| Georgia | Brazil |
| Latvia | Montenegro |
Conclusion
Despite the setbacks with injuries and roster changes, Gilas Pilipinas remains focused on their goal of qualifying for the Paris Olympics. The upcoming friendly matches in Europe will be critical for the team’s preparation and performance in Latvia.(747Live)
