High-leaping forward Rhenz Abando of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran is set to make another jump in his career.
The NCAA Season 97 Rookie of the Year-MVP has been invited to join the Gilas Pilipinas pool as the nationals are set to start their crucial build-up for the remaining 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers as well as the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup in July.
In his maiden campaign with the Knights, Abando was simply unstoppable.
The pride of La Union tallied 15.7 points per game, 6.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.3 blocks in Season 97 for a 48.44 Player Average Value (PAV) to claim the top individual honor.
He also helped steer Letran to the title, their second in a row after also ruling the Season 95 edition.
Should Abando make it to the 12-man roster, it would be his first time donning the national colors.
According to a reliable source, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) sent a letter addressed to Letran's athletic director, Fr. Victor Calvo, OP, to ask permission for Abando's availability.
In the same letter, SBP said Gilas will reconvene for training on June 1.
Gilas Pilipinas is coming off a silver medal finish at the 31st SEA Games where they faltered against Indonesia in the gold medal match.
—JMB, GMA News
