MANILA, Philippines — Collegiate stars Dylan Ababou and Aldrech Ramos have been dropped from the 12-man Smart-Gilas Pilipinas team that is tasked to bring home a medal in the Guangzhou Asian Games. Ababou, the UAAP Most Valuable Player back in 2009, and Ramos of Far Eastern University are currently with the team that comprised the 14-man roster but were cut on the day of the team managers’ meeting to make way for the three PBA players.
The two will remain in Guangzhou to support the team.
The Nationals will face Kuwait in the knockout first round this Friday.
Making it to the Smart-Gilas lineup are co-captains Chris Tiu, Mark Barroca and Jayvee Casio, fellow amateur stalwarts Mac Baracael and Jason Ballesteros, Fil-Ams Chris Lutz, Gregory Slaughter and Marcio Lassiter, and PBA reinforcements Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams, Sol Mercado and Japeth Aguilar.
Ababou and Ramos have been with the team since its formation in late 2008 together with Tiu, Casio, Barroca, Baracael and Ballesteros.
Waylon Galvez, Manila Bulletin
