With CJ Perez and Jamie Malonzo out, Mark Barroca looms as one of the favorites to see action for Gilas Pilipinas in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Gilas coach Tim Cone told Daily Tribune that Perez and Malonzo will not be around when the Filipinos shoot for Asian glory starting 26 September.
Perez has been representing the country since the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2019 and the 32nd Southeast Asian Games early this year.
He, however, saw limited minutes during the previous World Cup as he played behind the National Basketball Association player Jordan Clarkson, Dwight Ramos, Scottie Thompson and Kiefer Ravena.
Malonzo, meanwhile, will also be out after suffering a back injury during their classification game against South Sudan. With that, the high-flying Barangay Ginebra San Miguel forward was reduced into a mere cheerleader when the Filipinos posted their lone World Cup win over China.
“CJ will be out, so will Jamie,” Cone said in a Viber exchange.
“We’ve planned on tapping college players as well, knowing that the guys from Japan B. League won’t be here, but we’ve figured it’s best to bring in PBA players at this time as we’re under time constraints.”
With Perez and Malonzo out, Barroca is expected to get a ring from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
Barroca is no stranger to international action.
He is part of the original Gilas squad under Serbian coach Rajko Toroman and played for Yeng Guiao in the World Cup in 2019.
More than that, he knows the system of Cone like the back of his hand after being part of the San Mig Coffee that won the Philippine Basketball Association grand slam in 2014.
“If they will call me or invite me to be there, I’ll join,” Barroca told Daily Tribune in a telephone conversation.
“It will be an honor to wear that Philippine jersey once again.”
The national squad will start preparing for the Asian Games on Monday.
