FORMER UST Growling Tiger Rhenz Abando has been named to Gilas Pilipinas’ final 12-man roster to compete in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which commences on Friday, Aug. 25, at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
This marks Abando’s third tenure with the national team, having previously participated in the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup and the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, in which he averaged 4.8 and 6.5 points, respectively.
The Philippines is one of the three host countries of the tourney, alongside Japan and Indonesia.
Gilas Pilipinas kicks off its campaign on opening night against the Dominican Republic, led by NBA stars Karl Anthony Towns and Al Horford. Angola and Italy are the other countries sitting in Group A.
Abando was one of the key players who contributed to the Growling Tigers’ Cinderella run to the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball finals, which included an upset elimination of the UP Fighting Maroons. During that season, he averaged 11.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.
The swingman, who was a favorite among Thomasians, departed from the team following the team’s dissolution due to the Sorsogon “bubble” controversy in August 2020.
In 2020, Abando transferred to Colegio de San Juan de Letran, marking the beginning of his remarkable run in the NCAA. He secured the Season 97 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award as a rookie and played a crucial role in helping the Knights clinch back-to-back titles.
He currently plays as an import for Anyang KGC in the Korean Basketball League (KBL), where he is the highest-paid Filipino import.
Former UAAP standouts joining Abando in the final 12-man roster are ex-Blue Eagles Kiefer Ravena, Dwight Ramos, Kai Sotto, and Japeth Aguilar, as well as La Salle’s Jamie Malonzo.
Completing the Gilas roster are Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson, six-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, reigning PBA MVP Scottie Thompson, RR Pogoy, AJ Edu, and CJ Perez. Jose Gabriel V. Ignacio
