Gilas Pilipinas is making a late roster change ahead of a crucial World Cup qualifying showdown. Converge big man Justin Arana will make his Gilas debut after being named to the national team’s lineup for Sunday’s game against Iran in the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at MOA Arena.
A sprain forces the change
Carl Tamayo was a key cog in Gilas’ dramatic 82-81 overtime win over Jordan last Friday, but he left the game early after twisting his left ankle in the third period. Head coach Tim Cone said Tamayo suffered a sprained ankle and can barely do more than walk, so the coaching staff brought in Arana to complete the 12-man lineup against a formidable Iranian side.
Who is Justin Arana
The 27-year-old, 6-foot-7 big man was initially called into Gilas’ pool for the window but was left out of the final lineup for the Jordan game. Now he steps in for Tamayo in a FIBA tournament. Arana is the 2023 PBA Rookie of the Year and has been a reliable presence for Converge.
“This is big for me, siyempre. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so my mindset is always ready lang,” Arana said at the pre-tournament press conference.
The full Gilas lineup vs Iran
- Kai Sotto, AJ Edu and June Mar Fajardo anchor the frontcourt
- Justin Arana joins Converge teammates Juan Gomez de Liaño and Justine Baltazar
- Completing the roster: CJ Perez, Scottie Thompson, Chris Newsome, Kevin Quiambao, Dwight Ramos, Troy Rosario
A reinforced frontcourt
Arana joins an already-promising frontline led by Kai Sotto, who returned to Gilas for this window. With Tamayo recovering, the big-man rotation will lean on its veteran presence and physicality against Iran, a perennial qualifying rival.
