Gilas Pilipinas (Philippine’s National team) has announced its pool of players for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The list consists of the team’s mainstays like Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, Kiefer Ravena, C.J. Perez, Thirdy Ravena, Roger Pogoy, Chris Newsome, Scottie Thompson, Calvin Oftana, Carl Tamayo, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Jamie Malonzo, and Jordan Heading. Meanwhile, fan-favorite Rhenz Abando also gets a call-up to the team, alongside AJ Edu (from Toledo Rockets). But, Gilas Pilipinas seems to go over other talented Filipino players who we think deserve to be on the national team representing the Philippines on the international stage. Here are the five biggest snubbed players to the Gilas Pilipinas lineup.
Justine Baltazar
Former University of the Philippines’ forward and now B-League big man Carl Tamayo reportedly begging off from the Gilas Pilipinas team after the young star feels he won’t be healthy when the tournament begins later this year. With that, Gilas Pilipinas is one player down manning the frontcourt.
One name that comes to mind that deserves Tamayo’s spot is no other than Justine Baltazar. Baltazar previously played in Japan’s B-League last year, but was hardly used on the court. It wasn’t long after that Balty was removed from the Hiroshima Dragonflies. However, he seems to be thriving in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) as he dominates the league. The 26-year-old forward is putting out huge numbers for the Pampanga Giant Lanterns resulting in his multiple Player of the Game awards. Baltazar’s length and size would be very beneficial for the national team, especially now that they are shorthanded in the frontcourt department.
Arvin Tolentino
Arguably the best catch-and-shoot player in the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) right now, Arvin Tolentino may turn out what Gilas Pilipinas truly needs. Tolentino is a 6-foot-6 forward playing for the North Port Batang Pier. Right now, he is averaging 14 points while shooting an impressive 47.5% from the three-point line.
He’s got a sweet jump shot and can either score by making his own shots or via catch-and-shoot situations. In the 2023 SEA Games, Arvin Tolentino was pretty good despite only playing 13 minutes. Although his shooting fell off, he still had some moments.
R.J. Abarrientos
The nephew of PBA legend Johnny Abarrientos, Rhon Jhay Abarrientos, is already creating a name for himself. R.J. was part of that exciting young Gilas Pilipinas under coach Tab Baldwin. That team consisted of Abarrientos, Kai Sotto, S.J. Belangel, and a lot of talented young guns. Shockingly, that team almost beat the powerhouse Serbian national team in the qualifiers.
Recently, Abarrientos achieved great honors in the Korean Basketball League after winning the 2022-2023 Rookie of the Season. The 23-year-old point guard finished the season with 13.1 points and 4.7 assists. Although R.J. is a smaller guard compared to guys on the Gilas Pilipinas pool, the team deserves a fresh face that can bring the national team to greater heights.
Robert Bolick
Robert “Babes” Bolick is most definitely one of the most electrifying guards in the PBA today. In this year’s PBA Governor’s Cup, Bolick is averaging a career-high 21.6 PPG. It’s very questionable that Gilas Pilipinas hasn’t called Bolick to the team despite the Batang Pier point guard having the best year in his career.
Three years ago, Robert Bolick headline the Gilas Pilipinas in the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers. He and C.J. Perez were the backcourt of that team and led the team offensively. Filipinos are now questioning why coach Chot is sticking with the Ravena brothers instead of taking this guy.
Matthew Wright
The half-Filipino, half-Canadian basketball player Matthew Wright previously played in the PBA. Wright was drafted in 2016 by the Phoenix Fuel Masters and stayed in the league until 2022. That year, a lot of Filipino players were being recruited by Japan’s B-League, and Matthew Wright was one of them.
Wright is probably the best Filipino import in B-League right now as he thrives with the team who signed him, the Kyoto Hannaryz. The 32-year-old forward graced the national team alongside Robert Bolick and C.J Perez. In 56 games with Kyoto, Wright averaged 13.4 points and 4.7 assists per game.
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