Contenders are already separating themselves from pretenders as far as the competition in the upcoming 2015 FIBA Asia Championship is concerned.

After winning the silver medal and qualifying to the World Cup for the first time in decades two years ago, the Philippine men's basketball team will be fielding again a formidable lineup that would challenge reigning champion Iran and host-country China for the crown in the two-week Olympic qualifier in Changsha, China from September 23 to October 3.

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According to sources, the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) is set to announce the 14 players who made the cut after thorough evaluations by head coach Tab Baldwin,

June Mar Fajardo, the 6-foot-10 big man who recently completed a rare back-to-back MVP seasons in the Philippine Basketball Association, heads the list of returnees from last year's campaign in Spain (World Championship) and Korea (Asian Games).

Jayson Castro, arguably one of Asia's best playmaker, will also return along with Gilas holdovers Ranidel de Ocampo, Marc Pingris, Paul Lee, Jeff Chan, Gabe Norwood, LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar and Gary David.

Terrence Romeo, Mark Barroca, Sonny Thoss and Greg Slaughter are the new faces in Baldwin's Gilas program, although all of these players suited up for the country in past tournaments, except Romeo.

The Philippines, who were heavily outmatched in length and size before, will be boasting a triumvirate of big men measured not shorter than 6-foot-9. The 7-foot Slaughter, 6-foot-10 Fajardo and 6-foot-9 Aguilar will beef up their frontline depth, while naturalized stalwart and Xinjiang Flying Tigers forward Andray Blatch is also scheduled to join training this coming week.

Baldwin was asked to confirm the validity of the rumored list of Gilas Pilipinas members. However, the former New Zealand and Jordan head coach neither denied nor confirmed it.

"I'm not in authority to make any announcement, it's the PBA. Although I know already who are the players coming in," Baldwin told reporters via Philippine tabloid Tempo.

"I think we'll get what we're hoping for, but for now, I don't want to preempt the SBP because they're the one that will be making the announcement."

The Philippines is expected to compete in several tune-ups with other national teams, but may not accept invitation to play at the William Jones Cup for third straight year.

The FIBA Asia Championship serves as a qualifier for the 2016 Rio Olympics. The winner of the continental hoops competition will be assured of a spot in the Summer Games next year, while the silver and bronze medal finishers will book spots at the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying tournament.

TagsPhilippine men’s basketball team, Philippines vs. China, Taiwan, Korea, Lebanon