Gilas Pilipinas kicked off its first practice on Monday as they gear up for the sixth and final window of the Fiba Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers slated in February.
Half of the 24-man pool attended the initial preparation at the Meralco gym headed by coach Chot Reyes and lead deputy Tim Cone.
Naturalized Filipino citizen Justin Brownlee led the national team playing out his first practice after <a href="https://www.dzrh.com.ph/post/brownlee-takes-oath-of-allegiance-to-the-philippines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">taking the oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines</a> in January.
He was joined by his Ginebra teammate Japeth Aguilar, Beermen's June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez, along with TNT&rsquo;s Roger Pogoy and Calvin Oftana, NorthPort&rsquo;s Arvin Tolentino, with college players Kevin Quiambao, Francis Lopez, Mason Amos, Schonny Winston, and Jerome Lastimosa.
Japan B. League players Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy Ravena, Ray Parks, Jordan Heading, Carl Tamayo, and Dwight Ramos were absent from the practice.
Center Kai Sotto was also not seen due to ongoing play with Adelaide 36ers in Australia National Basketball League.
Scottie Thompson, Chris Newsome, Jamie Malonzo, Raymond Almazan, and Anj Kouame were also no show.
Gilas Pilipinas is set to face off against Lebanon at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on February 24.

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Gilas starts first practice for FIBA World Cup; half of 24-man pool attends