MANILA – LA Tenorio and Arwind Santos returned to international basketball as part of the Team Philippines’ pool in the fifth window of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifier later this month.
Tenorio last played for the national team under head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes while Santos is donning country colors for the first time since getting tapped by head coach Yeng Guiao in 2009.
Other members of the pool are June Mar Fajardo, Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar, John Paul Erram, Ian Sangalang, Beau Belga, Christian Standhardinger, and high school standout Kai Sotto.
Guards and forwards in the pool are Jayson Castro, Paul lee, Stanley Pringle, Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter, Matthew Wright, Scottie Thompson, Gabe Norwood, Troy Rosario, and University of the Philippines’ Ricci Rivero.
Standhardinger and Pringle will alternate as naturalized players for the Team Philippines’ two games. Former NBA center Andray Blatche was not included in the lineup.
“I think it will be maybe one of the best teams, if not the best, we would ever form to represent the Philippines in an international competition,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio.
The Philippines is facing Kazakhstan on Nov. 30 and Iran on Dec. 3. Both games will be at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City./PN
