National Collegiate Athletic Association alumni Scottie Thompson, Rhenz Abando, and CJ Perez were included in the final 12-man team of Gilas Pilipinas for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
The three standouts will join Jordan Clarkson, Kai Sotto, June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Jamie Malonzo, RR Pogoy, and Kiefer Ravena as the national team vies for the Naismith Trophy.
Thompson, who was NCAA MVP back in 2014, played for the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA. In 2012, he was named as the league's Most Improved Player and was included in the mythical team in 2012, 2014, and 2015.
In the PBA, Thompson is a seven-time PBA champion with Barangay Ginebra and is also the reigning PBA MVP.
CJ Perez, the NCAA MVP and mythical team member in 2017, played for the Lyceum of the Philippines University. He is a one-time champion in the PBA for the San Miguel Beermen.
Rhenz Abando, on the other hand, is the NCAA MVP for Season 97 and was part of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights which won the championship that season. He is also a champion in the Korean Basketball League with the Anyang KGC.
Thompson, Perez, Abando, and the rest of the Gilas squad will open their campaign in the World Cup on Friday against Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena, followed by Angola on Sunday, and Italy on the 29th.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
