Gilas’ lack of rim protection looms minus Kai Sotto, Japeth Aguilar in final Fiba window

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas resumed its preparations for the sixth and final window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Monday with clarity.

National coach Chot Reyes ruled out Japeth Aguilar and Kai Sotto in the two home stands that will be played at the cavernous Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

“Our big concern really now is trying to figure out how to compensate with the lack of our two top rim defenders—Japeth and Kai. Without them, that’s going to give us a lot of problems defensively,” he told reporters after the training session at Meralco Gym in Pasig City.

That leaves Reyes and the national team with just June Mar Fajardo, Raymond Almazan, and 18-year-old Mason Amos as frontline choices for the likely two different rosters that are going to be built around naturalized player Justin Brownlee.

The Philippines, toting a 5-3 card in Group E, will be figuring in a pair of grudge matches. The Nationals play streaking Lebanon on Feb. 24 and then vengeful Jordan three days later.

Joining the practices at Gilas’ long-time training facility is Kiefer Ravena, who arrived way ahead of the bunch. He was the only B.League standout who reported for training.

Dwight Ramos, Ray Parks Jr., Thirdy Ravena, and Jordan Heading will join the preparations in the coming days, according to Reyes himself.

Carl Tamayo, who recently opted to ply his trade in Japan, has yet to answer his Gilas call-up.

“He’s supposed to be here but he’s not,” Reyes said of the former UP star. “I don’t know what his plan is and if he’s even going to be available for this window.

“But other than June Mar (and Raymond), the only other big man that has [consistently] shown up is Mason.”

“Those are basically our bigs,” he added.

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