Games Sunday
11 a.m. — Taiwan-B vs Japan
1 p.m. — Iran vs RP
3 p.m. — Taiwan vs Korea
5 p.m. — Jordan vs Kazakhstan
Closing Ceremony

TAIPEI — The shroud is off for Powerade-Team Pilipinas after coach Yeng Guiao bared Friday morning the official lineup to the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship set August 6-16 in Tianjin, China.

Over breakfast before the team went to practice, Guiao named to the squad Jayjay Helterbrand, Willie Miller, Gabe Norwood, Arwind Santos, Jared Dillinger, Cyrus Baguio, Japeth Aguilar, Kerby Raymundo, Sonny Thoss, James Yap, Asi Taulava, and Mick Pennisi.

A shoo-in, point guard Ryan Reyes, who has yet to recover fully from an injury suffered in the 8th SEABA Championship in Medan two months ago, reportedly asked to be excluded from the roster Thursday due to continuing pain in his left hamstring muscle.

Forward Ranidel de Ocampo, clearly undersized against opponents playing his position, was also placed in reserve.

Injuries, though not welcomed, Guiao said, could shake up the lineup.

“We’re not discounting that possibility,” he said. “I understand we can still change any injured player three days before the tournament begins.”

Guiao has been consulting with his coaching staff, including former national mentor Jong Uichico, who has since left, for the past few days and the group reached a “consensus” Thursday night.

“It wasn’t really difficult,” Guiao said.

PBA commissioner Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios, who arrived with RP team manager JB Baylon Thursday in time for the game with South Korea in the 31st William Jones Cup tournament, said it was imperative a final 12 be submitted to the FIBA Asia organizers.

“We had to beat the deadline,” Barrios said.

With Helterbrand playing intermittently because of recurring tightness in his hamstring, the point guard spot remains a vulnerable area for the RP team, forcing Guiao to leave the door ajar for Reyes’ return.

“I would’ve preferred to have Ryan in the team but he admitted he won’t be a hundred percent in Tianjin,” said Guiao, adding, however, “pero pag naramdaman niyang okey na siya, then we’ll find a way for him.”