Lebron Lopez joins Gilas pool training for February qualifiers

Francis "Lebron" Lopez is making the most of his stalled professional career as he has joined the Gilas Pilipinas national team's preparations for the February window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

In an Instagram story that head coach Chot Reyes posted on Monday, February 14, the 18-year-old cager was seen doing warm-ups with the nationals with less than 10 days before the qualifying tournament.

Lopez reportedly has visa issues which stand in the way of his stint with Overtime Elite League—a newly-formed league in the US that could serve as a pathway to the NBA.

"The new and the old," said Reyes in the caption paired with a Philippine flag.

(Chot Reyes/Instagram story)

Lopez had suited up for the Philippines once, donning the colors during the last window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. The former UAAP Juniors standout posted eight points, five rebounds, and one assist.

He is the latest Gilas player to rejoin the team after Thirdy Ravena, Dwight Ramos, Ange Kouame, Tzaddy Rangel, William Navarro, Jaydee Tungcab, and Juan Gomez de Liaño.

The team will be reinforced by NorthPort star guard Robert Bolick and several TNT players.

Also seen in Reyes' post was Marc Pingris, who was recently called up to help the team but as an assistant coach.

The Philippines will open its campaign against South Korea on February 24 before facing India and New Zealand on February 25 and 27, respectively, at the Araneta Coliseum.

Gilas Pilipinas will then close out the window against Korea anew on the 28th.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News