Why some La Salle players were excluded from Chot’s #23for23 Gilas pool

In case people were wondering why some De La Salle University players didn’t make coach Chot Reyes’ preliminary pool for the FIBA World Cup 2023, it has to a certain extent something to do with the exit of Aldin Ayo from the Green Archers’ squad.

Notable exclusions from Reyes’ “23 for ’23” are La Salle players Ricci Rivero, Andrei Caracut and Aljun Melecio.

“De La Salle has actually asked us not to include any of their players first because they are at their process of transition and reformation,” Reyes said in a report on ESPN 5 “SportsCenter.”

The transition refers most likely to the coaching change at the Taft school, one that saw Ayo leave for University of Santo Tomas and Louie Gonzales replace him.

The new Gilas pool is composed of big men Kenmark Cariño, AJ Edu, Isaac Go, Will Gozum, Troy Rike, Kai Sotto, Carl Tamayo and Abu Tratter; and wings and guards Jjay Alejandro, JR Ambohot, Robert Bolick, Paul Desiderio, Juan Gomez De Liano, Remy Martin, Javee Mocon, Matt Nieto, Dwight Ramos, Thirdy Ravena, Kobe Paras, CJ Perez, Joshua Sinclair, Arvin Tolentino, and Ken Tuffin.

“For the wings, we want to shy away already from the wing men (who are) 6-foot-1, 6-foot-2. That's the prototype shooters we have today in PH basketball,” explained Reyes.

Author: Dennis Gasgonia, ABS-CBN News
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