Baltazar, Arana, Abarrientos part of Gilas’ Asian Games team–Cone

Justin Baltazar (left), Justin Arana (middle), and Troy Rosario during Gilas Pilipinas’ game against Iran in the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers at Mall of Asia Arena.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Justine Baltazar, Justin Arana and RJ Abarrientos will continue serving Gilas Pilipinas in the buildup for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

Coach Tim Cone confirmed that the three players are part of the pool for Gilas’ defense of the Asian Games gold it won three years ago in Hangzhou, China.

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Cone added that Arana had been focused recently on the Asiad squad before he got called up to the active roster against Iran in the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers when Carl Tamayo went down with a sprained ankle.

“Justin and Balti (Baltazar) are going on the team and RJ is also on the Asian Games team,” Cone said after Sunday’s 68-56 win over Iran at Mall of Asia Arena. “Justin started with us in the window, and then we moved him over to the Asian Games team. He played in the scrimmage with the Asian Games team.

“And then when Carl got injured, we brought him back for the window. But he’s been practicing regularly with the Asian Games team,” added Cone.

Baltazar saw action for Gilas, albeit in limited action in Friday’s 82-81 overtime thriller against Jordan, while Abarrientos didn’t make the final 12 for either game.

The three are set to take part in the Asian Games buildup on Tuesday before the team leaves for South Korea for a pair of tune-up games.

The basketball competitions of the Asian Games will kick off on Sept. 10 with Gilas grouped alongside China, Bahrain and Kazakhstan in Group C.