Decison, asap!

IT'S World Cup FIBA qualification time once again, as Asia (including Oceanian entries, Australia and New Zealand) girds up for the seven window grind next week. Gilas Pilipinas is currently in the thick of it's extensive preparation, which already had five-day start of practice at Inspire Academy, despite the absence of two coach Tim Cone's key players. The 7"3' Kai Sotto and the disgruntle Jamie Malonzo.

Inspite of what seems to be a cause for concern, Cone has brought in some replacements Justine Baltazar (6-9), who once suited up the Gilas jersey under Tab Baldwin, Juan de Leano, RJ Abbarientos, and the 6"-10' Quintin Millora Brown.These replacements are personal hand picked by Cone, who is expecting to fill up the void left by Sotto. Malonzo, who is in the US right know, after his contract with a Japan B-League expired, is to be replaced by De Leano (6-5), in the forward position

Japeth Aguilar, who finally retired from international competition and played his last game during the first window, have been with Gilas since the Gilas program started 14-years ago, on the other. hand Is said to be replace by Mike Philips (6-10), who just recently cleared by FIBA as local player after long negotiation with SBP, who took legal matters.

Cone is pinning his hopes on these replacements to fill-up their designated spot. with the QMB, who got last minute deal with SBP and almost failed to make the team, will take the Sotto's lofty position, after the former Ateneo behemoth is reportedly kept at bay by his handler, East West Private believed who have secured an NBA temporary contract in the up coming NBA Summer League. On which team?...We don't know yet. QMB made his Gilas debut during the initial window qualifiers wherein he help the nationals swept Guam.

Baltazar, who is currently playing for Converge is assigned to take Aguilar's slot. Cone believed Baltazar's agility and quickness will fit-in the triangle system, while relaying on his perimeter shooting. and rebound skills, is a sure boost to San Miguel Beer's and eight-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo (6-11) and A.J Adu (6-10)..

The Inclusion of QMB and Baltazar in the roster, have given the national's frontline height and heft in terms of rebounding. In the last window, Gilas Pilipinas set all time FIBA high in rebound, out muscling the Guaminians with 25.

De Leano and Abbarientos, further enhances Cone's triangle offense as the duo can provide able support to swingman Scottie Thompson and Dwight Ramos and another able reliever in C.J Perez, who had a fine performance in the last PBA Philippine Cup. Both players, are not new to Gilas as De Leano and Abbarientos likewise represented separately the country in an international competitions.

Though the inclusion of these able replacements, Cone is facing a tough task in choosing the 12-man lineup as the teams roster rose to 15-man before the second qualifying kicks off on 26th of February, wherein Gilas is set to square-off anew against the New Zealand Tall Blacks and the Australian Boomers on the first of March. Both matched will be played at home, while the third window will be away games.

Completing the Gilas pool, are Carl Tamayo (6-8), Kevin Quiambao (6-6), Chris Newsome (6-1), Calvin Oftana (6-8), Troy Rosarios (6-8), and Gilas' longtime naturalized player Justine Brownlee (6-6).

So?...It's decision, decision time for coach Tim.