Manila, Philippines will play host to one of three FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in a couple of weeks. Gilas Pilipinas have named their roster for the event as they look to qualify for the Olympics for the first time since 1972 where they finished in 13th place. It was not going to be easy an easy road for the hosts to get to their first Olympic Games in 44 years.
The Philippines have to get through France and New Zealand for a potential spot in the semifinals. Turkey, Senegal, and Canada are in the other group and could meet the Philippines in the semifinals or final should teams get there.
The Roster
All but two players currently play in the Philippines. Bobby Ray Parks Jr. plays for the Texas Legends, a team in the NBA Development League which is an affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks. Then there is Andray Blatche. Blatche plays for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in China and is the team’s only naturalized citizen.
The team will bring five guards, five forwards, and two centers. Guard Jayson William is the captain of the side and is the star player of Tropang TNT. This past season, he averaged 19.8 points a game. He also averaged 4.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists a game in the PBA.
William is not the only Tropang TNT player on the side. He will be joined by three teammates on the team so he’ll be with familiar faces as he tries the lead the Philippines to an illustrious Olympic birth. Troy Rosario, Ryan Reyes, and Ranidel de Ocampo were also named to the roster.
Full Roster
Guards: Terrence Romeo, Jeffrei Chan, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Jayson William (Captain), Ryan Reyes
Forwards: Gabe Norwood, Japeth Aguilar, Marc Pingris, Troy Rosario, Ranidel de Ocampo
Centers: Andray Blatche (Naturalized Player), June Mar Fajardo