MANILA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Chot Reyes just released a relatively small but speedy 14-man Philippines pool for the second window of the Asian Qualifiers.

Leading the way are naturalized player Andray Blatche, 4-time PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo and PBA rookie sensation Kiefer Ravena. Also in the pool are grizzled veterans Jayson Castro, Gabe Norwood and Japeth Aguilar. With this roster, the Filipinos will have an average height shorter than their first window squad and definitely shorter than their next opponents, Australia.

There are several holdovers from the squad that went 2-0 in the first window of the Asian Qualifiers, including Kevin Alas, Calvin Abueva, RR Pogoy, Allein Malicsi and Matthew Wright. Not returning for the second window is big man Troy Rosario, who did not get medical clearance for a concussion he sustained about a week ago. Other Gilas hopefuls who won't make the trip to Melbourne are Raymond Almazan, Mac Belo, Jaymar Perez, Robert Bolick and scoring sensation Terrence Romeo.

New to the Gilas Pilipinas roster for the second window are the diminutive Jio Jalalon, sweet-shooting Carl Bryan and athletic frontliner Abu Tratter. Both Jalalon and Cruz last saw action for Gilas at the FIBA Asia Cup 2017, where the Filipinos tumbled to 7th place, their lowest finish since 2009. Tratter, meanwhile, is fresh from playing out his collegiate career at De La Salle University. He is known a versatile 6ft 5in (1.96m) forward who can mix it up down low.

The new names and old reliables notwithstanding, this team will still revolve around the productivity of Blatche, Fajardo, Ravena and, of course, Castro. Blatche has resolved to be much more active in terms of scoring, while Castro continues to play the role of stabilizer. Fajardo had a breakout result in their last victory over Chinese Taipei, and Filipino hoop nuts are hoping he can carry that kind of performance over to the next window. Ravena, for his part, has been tearing it up in the PBA since being drafted last year. He should play a bigger role in this window.

One man who is truly happy to be called up is Abueva, who was supposedly already cut from the team after he missed their first few practices weeks ago. His inclusion comes as a bit of a surprise, but a welcome one for the basketball-crazy country.

"I’m just glad that I’m given this opportunity again," said Abueva. "I promise that whatever I’m showing in my game, they can expect the same, or even more."

The Philippines tip their tiff off against Australia on 22 February at the Margaret Court Arena and then they return home to face Japan on 25 February at the Mall of Asia Arena.

FIBA