Gilas getting ready for FIBA Asia Challenge

MANILA (2016 FIBA Asia Challenge) - The Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) is in the process of forming a pool of 24 players for the FIBA Asia Challenge set from September 9 to 18 in Tehran, Iran.

As a start, the SBP gathered 15 amateur standouts for the first practice session on Tuesday at the Meralco Gym.

"That's the focus now, we have to come up with a roster, the deadline to submit the lineup list of 24 is on August 9 and the final 12 line-up on August 25," said SBP deputy director of international affairs Mr. Butch Antonio.

Josh Reyes, Tab Baldwin's assistant, supervised the first practice session that was attended by the likes of Kevin Ferrer, Mike Tolomia, Roger Pogoy, Mac Belo, Russelle Escoto, Von Pessumal, Almond Vosotros, Gio Jalalon and Ed Daquiaong. PBA player and former Gilas gunner Dondon Hontiveros shared some words of wisdom to the Cadets.

The pool also included new invitees CJ Perez, Chris Javier, Carl Cruz, Jonathan Grey and Arvin Tolentino.

Kiefer Ravena, who’s expected to be part of the team in Tehran, missed the first practice session because he’s currently attending a training camp in the US.

The Philippines qualified to the FIBA Asia Challenge after winning the gold medal in the 2016 SEABA Stankovic Cup that took place in Bangkok, Thailand in May.

The FIBA Asia Challenge will give the Top Five finishers an extra berth for their respective sub-zones in the 2017 Fiba Asia Cup, the new name of the continental FIBA Asia Championship.

FIBA