In a report by GMA News Online, former NBA Sixth Man of the Year and Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson will be headlining the team's offense in the quadrennial meet with B.League standout Dwight Ramos.
Team captain Japeth Aguilar and 6-time PBA MVP Junmar Fajardo are the remaining holdovers from the 2014 World Cup squad where the Philippines last won a game in the group stage against Senegal.
Kiefer Ravena, CJ Perez, and Roger Pogoy are on a mission for redemption this time after the trio was part of the Gilas team who failed to snatch a win during the 2019 edition in China, led by Coach Yeng Guiao.
Former NCAA MVP Rhenz Abando will be one of the few players who will be making their debut on the world stage.
The proud product of Colegio de San Juan de Letran had a terrific rookie season. Abando was instrumental for his team Anyang KGC in ruling the East Asia Super League and the 2022-23 season of Korean Basketball League (KBL). The La Union-native also captured the slam dunk crown during the 2023 KBL All-Star.
Another first-timer is PBA Season 46 MVP Scottie Thompson, the steady point guard who hails from Davao del Sur will be the team’s court general alongside backcourt partner Jordan Clarkson.
Fresh from his NBA Summer League stint, Kai Sotto’s presence inside the paint will be a big boost for the Nationals defense. Completing the Gilas final 12 are high-leaping forwards Jamie Malonzo and AJ Edu.
World No. 41 Philippines will be facing No. 23 Dominican Republic on Friday, August 25, No. 41 Angola on Sunday, August 27, before wrapping up its group phase against No. 10 Italy on Tuesday, August 29.