TWO CEBUANOS were named to the Gilas Pilipinas pool that will fly to Europe for an intense training camp in preparation for the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament next month.
These are former Cesafi standout and reigning PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo and flashy guard Terrence Romeo, whose father hails from the town of Boljoon.
The duo’s inclusion came as no surprise with their previous experience under head coach Tab Baldwin in the national team that finished second to China in the Fiba Asia Men’s Championship last year.
The rest of the team includes several veterans that have previously donned the Gilas jersey. These are guards Jayson Castro and LA Tenorio, wingmen Gabe Norwood and Jeff Chan, forwards Japeth Aguilar, Marc Pingris, Calvin Abueva, Troy Rosario and Ranidel de Ocampo, and naturalized Filipino, Andray Blatche.
The two newcomers on the squad are wily guard Ryan Reyes and former two-time UAAP MVP, Bobby Ray Parks, who has spent the better part of this year playing in the NBA D-League.
Marcio Lassiter, Moala Tautuaa and Kiefer Ravena were the final cuts before the European training camp.
The Nationals got a confidence-boost after winning over Asian rivals, Iran, 81-70, in an exhibition game on Wednesday night.
They are hoping that this is a sign of things to come as they heighten their preparations for the Olympic qualifier that will first pit them against powerhouse France on July 5 and then against New Zealand the following day. Both games will be played at the Mall of Asia Arena.