Gilas taps Japeth Aguilar, Mason Amos as reserves
Japeth Aguilar and Mason Amos have been added to Tim Cone’s Gilas Pilipinas roster. –FILE PHOTOS
MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone is preparing the squad from top to bottom with two new additions.
After a commendable outing at the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers’ first window, Cone revealed that he has added two more names in Japeth Aguilar and Mason Amos to backstop Gilas’ current 12-man pool.
“We’re excited that Mason [Amos] and Japeth [Aguilar] agreed to be our alternates on Gilas,” said Cone on Monday.
“Japeth and Mason will practice and travel with the original 12 and be ready to step in if the need arises. If we lose one of our bigs, Japeth will step in. If any of the others, Mason will fill the hole. Mason, too, because of his youth, projects as one of the regulars over time.”
READ: Mason Amos makes a splash in Gilas Pilipinas seniors’ debut
Aguilar has already suited up for Gilas in the qualifiers after the exclusion of young big AJ Edu.
The Ginebra star scored eight points and three rebounds in the Philippines’ dominant 106-53 win over Chinese Taipei two months ago.
Amos, meanwhile, wasn’t part of Gilas’ first window run but has already donned the Red, Blue and White last year for the 2023 Fiba World Cup qualifiers.
READ: Ex-Gilas skipper Japeth Aguilar returns to national duty
In the Philippines’ 107-96 win over Lebanon, the Ateneo swingman recorded 13 points on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting night.
The addition of both players is due to Gilas Pilipinas’ lack in personnel at the big man spot, which showed up during the qualifiers when the Filipino side didn’t have Edu and June Mar Fajardo due to injuries.
“The first window showed us that we were a little thin in our lineup after AJ Edu, June Mar [Fajardo] and Jamie [Malonzo] missed our game vs. Chinese Taipei due to injuries, and we were left with only nine players and only Japeth as a replacement to make 10.””
The next task for the bolstered Gilas will be in July as they enter the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia.
