MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas boosted its frontline by adding to its national pool three cagers ahead of the first window of the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) Asia Cup Qualifiers against Thailand and Indonesia on Feb. 20 and 23, respectively.
Gilas Team manager Gabby Cui said that the Alaska Aces big men Vic Manuel and Abu Tratter, with Rain or Shine’s forward Javee Mocon have been activated in the national team roster.
Manuel, Tratter and Mocon were called up by Gilas interim coach Mark Dickel following the pull out of Japeth Aguilar, Christian Standhardinger, Rey Mark Belo and Matthew Wright due to various reasons.
The new additions join the original cast of John Paul Erram, George Isaac Go, Jean Marc Pingris, and Jeth Troy Rosario in the front court of the 24-man Gilas pool, which also includes fellow pros, as well as standouts from the collegiate ranks.
Manuel is making his return party after his national team debut last December during the Southeast Asian Games on home soil, playing a key role for the flag’s 13th straight gold medal streak.
Meanwhile, Tratter previously donned the national colors when he was tapped to play against Australia in the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Melbourne back in Feb. 2018.
Mocon, on the other hand, is a fresh recruit to play for the national team. He was previously shortlisted to the Gilas cadets pool when coach Chot Reyes unveiled the famous “23-for-2023.”/PN
