Carl Tamayo, Justine Baltazar ruled out of Gilas Pilipinas' campaign in February qualifiers

Young cagers Carl Tamayo and Justine Baltazar have been ruled out of the February window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers where the Gilas Pilipinas national men's basketball team will battle South Korea, India, and New Zealand.

According to DLSU head coach Derrick Pumaren, Baltazar remains focused on his commitment with the university and said the Green Archers are trying to develop chemistry ahead of future competitions.

"Justine is currently immersed in our school bubble and actually turned down two offers from Japan to play his final year with La Salle and graduate," Pumaren told GMA News Online in a message Saturday.

"The Filoil preseason tournament will begin in a few weeks and our team is gearing for it as only then will our players be finally playing together against competition. More than half of our team are new to La Salle so a lot of jelling has to be done."

"Balti is our main man and it would be difficult to develop chemistry without him."

Baltazar played for five games for the nationals during the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, where he averaged 7.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 108 assists.

Meanwhile, Tamayo, who made his Gilas debut during the final window of the same qualifiers, will also be unavailable.

UP men's basketball team manager Agaton Uvero confirmed the development to GMA News Online, saying the current guidelines by Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) made it difficult for them to allow the 6-foot-7 youngster.

Tamayo posted averages of 8.0 points, 2.5 boards, and one assist in two matches played for the nationals.

"CHED bubble guidelines are very strict," Uvero said in a short message.

Without the two, Gilas will bank on some veterans from the TNT Tropang Giga to reinforce the young core.

Gilas members Ange Kouame, Tzaddy Rangel, William Navarro, Jaydee Tungcab, and Juan Gomez de Liaño are already in a bubble camp and will be joined soon by selected players from TNT.

—JMB, GMA News