Other Pinoys in the Japan B. League are set to arrive sometime this week.
With the sixth and final window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers just two weeks away, Gilas’ 24-man pool is slowly become more and more complete.
First to arrive among the Pinoy hoopers from the Japan B.League is Thirdy Ravena. In an Instagram story, Ravena posted a photo of him back in the Philippines.
Ravena, who is currently playing for the San-En Neophoenix, was included once more in the Gilas pool in the upcoming sixth window of the FIBA qualifiers.
The former Ateneo standout was initially part of the lineup during the fifth window when Gilas faced Jordan and Saudia Arabia but was cut from the final 12.
Ravena is coming off a 15-point performance on Sunday for the Neophoenix in their 63-73 loss versus the Ryukyu Golden Kings.
The B.League will be taking a break from February 13 to March 7 to give way for the staging of FIBA's final qualifier for this year's World Cup, which the Philippines will be co-hosting with Japan and Indonesia.
Aside from Ravena, other Pinoys playing in the Japan B.League, such as Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Kiefer Ravena, Jordan Heading, and Dwight Ramos, are also set to arrive in the country sometime this week.
Gilas coach Chot Reyes is hoping to have a complete Gilas pool by this week as they ramp up preparations.
Gilas, who has a 5-3 win-loss record in Group E, will look to end the FIBA World Cup qualifiers on a high note as it faces Lebanon on February 24 and Jordan on February 27 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.