THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has finally released the much-awaited list of the pool of players of the Gilas Pilipinas men’s basketball team that will compete in the 2023 Fiba World Cup this August in the Philippines.

Three Cebuanos made it to the list: Roger Ray Pogoy, Carl Tamayo and six-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo. They are joined by three naturalized Filipinos, namely Ange Kouame, Justin Brownlee and the Utah Jazz’s Jordan Clarkson.

The Gilas also have a pair of towering centers in Kai Sotto and AJ Edu.

The Gilas also has a lot of guards to choose from, starting with the hyper-athletic Rhenz Abando, who recently won a championship in the Korean Basketball League. Also in the pool are reigning PBA MVP, Scottie Thompson, Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks, Jr., Dwight Ramos, Chris Newsome, CJ Perez and Jordan Heading.

The forward position has Japeth Aguilar, Jamie Malonzo, Poy Erram and Calvin Oftana.

The Gilas are going to begin their preparations with weeklong training at the Inspire Academy next week before they head to Lithuania for another round of training sessions and tune-up matches.

The Gilas have their work cut out for them as they will have to contend with the likes of the Dominican Republic, which may have NBA All-Star Karl Anthony-Towns, Angola and Italy. Only the top two teams of each bracket will advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup. (JNP)