Barangay Ginebra’s Ralph Cu (left) and RJ Abarrientos (right). Photo from Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. MANILA — The undermanned Gilas Pilipinas will have two reinforcements for its two-day camp in Laguna.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s RJ Abarrientos and Ralph Cu will provide two able bodies for the Nationals who are managing the loads of Justin Brownlee, the injured Troy Rosario, and are still without the likes of Chris Newsome, Kevin Quiambao, Japeth Aguilar, and Carl Tamayo.

“Si Troy magpapahinga, si Brownlee may blisters so pagpapahingahin namin,” said Gilas team manager Alfrancis Chua on Monday during the PBA’s press conference for the launch of its 50th-anniversary logo.

“So papaakyatin namin si Cu at si Abarrientos para sa ensayo makumpleto lang habang nagpapahinga yung iba,” he added.

In a few photos shared by Inspire on social media, among those who joined Abarrientos and Cu were Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Scottie Thompson, Calvin Oftana, CJ Perez, June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, and Jamie Malonzo.

Also present were Brownlee and Rosario.

Newsome, Tamayo, and Quiambao are still with the Meralco Bolts, Changwon LG Sakers, and the Goyang Sono Skygunners, respectively, and will directly fly to Qatar for Gilas’ set of friendlies there.

The Tim Cone-coached squad will battle Doha, Lebanon, and Egypt from February 13 to 16, and they are set for a quick return on the morning of February 17. On the evening of the same day, the team will head for Taipei.

Aguilar, meanwhile, will miss the Qatar trip but is still in the running for a spot in the Final 12 when they conclude their 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers assignments next week.

Gilas will face Taipei on February 20, while their rematch against New Zealand is on February 23. Both matches are on the opponents’ respective home turfs.

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