QMB, RJ Abarrientos added to Gilas Pilipinas pool for FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers

Gilas Pilipinas is expanding its pool for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers after adding four players to the list ahead of the November window.

The national team has added Quentin Millora-Brown, naturalized center Ange Kouame, RJ Abarrientos, and Kai Sotto, who is still recovering from an ACL injury.

The four additions will join the 12 players who saw action in the FIBA Asia Cup in Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Dwight Ramos, Japeth Aguilar, Kevin Quiambao, Justin Brownlee, Carl Tamayo, and AJ Edu. 

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) made the announcement on Wednesday as Tim Cone looks to retain continuity for the program. 

“Continuity is still the main priority of coach Tim Cone but we saw it fit to add a couple of pieces to the training pool,” SBP president Al Panlilio said in the basketball body's social media post.

“Obviously, Justin will still be the top choice in terms of having a naturalized player in the lineup but we need to take advantage of actually having multiple naturalized players.”

Kouame and Abarrientos are not new to the national team with both veterans suiting up for the flag in the past.

Millora-Brown, meanwhile, will join the Gilas for the first time after securing a local classification from FIBA.

Gilas will take on Guam twice on November 28 in an away game and on December 1 here.

“We’re excited to have QMB in the pool,” added Panlilio. “We got a close-up look at what he can do when he played for the Macau Black Bears and talking to coach Tim, he’s certain a guy like QMB can shine in the system that we have.”

The Philippines, which was coming off a quarterfinals exit in Asia Cup, and Guam are in Group A of the World Cup Asian Qualifiers together with Australia and New Zealand. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News