"Yao ming-ming, I'm waiting for your confirmation to play."
Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots' Calvin Abueva made a hilarious post on Wednesday, as Gilas Pilipinas awaits the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee's (HAGOC) decision regarding the Philippines' lineup for the tournament.
Present in Abueva's groufie are Terrence Romeo, Mo Tautuaa, and Jason Perkins, the four players who were reportedly ruled out of the Asian Games.
Yao Ming is the biggest Chinese basketball name to Pinoy basketball fans. He is now the Chinese Basketball Association president and was recently inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame before the FIBA World Cup in the Philippines.
Gilas Pilipinas and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas are still waiting for the final word on their appeal regarding lineup changes for the Asian Games.
Coach Tim Cone initially requested to have Abueva and Perkins on the roster despite being missing from the initial 60-man list sent to HAGOC months ago.
Romeo and Tautuaa, who were additions to the roster, were part of that first list.
The SBP and Gilas Pilipinas then learned, apparently a few days ago, that were was another 37-man list sent to HAGOC. Abueva, Perkins, Romeo, and Tautuaa were not on it, diminishing their chances of playing in the Asian Games.
Cone said they called up Cjay Perez, Kevin Alas, Chris Ross, and Arvin Tolentino—part of the six remaining players available on the 37-man list—as last-minute replacements.
Marcio Lassiter also answered the call to replace Roger Pogoy, who was dealing with health issues.
All of them have started practicing at the Inspire Academy, despite uncertainties with the lineup.
They're still set on playing though, amid calls of skipping the games altogether.
Gilas Pilipinas will start its campaign against Bahrain on September 26 in Group C, followed by Thailand and Jordan.
Other federations have had difficulties in sending replacements to the Asian Games as well.
Gymnastics chief Cynthia Carrion shared with One Sports that they will not be sending athletes to the team events since HAGOC did not agree to new names taking over injured athletes to the tournament.
(CF)