MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED) Naturalized center Andray Blatche and two-time FIBA Asia Mythical Team member Jayson Castro will lead Gilas Pilipinas in their campaign to make it to the 2016 Rio Games in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament starting July 5.

Blatche and Castro will be joined by two-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, Gabe Norwood, Japeth Aguilar, Ranidel de Ocampo, Terrence Romeo, Marc Pingris, Jeff Chan, Ray Parks, Ryan Reyes, and Troy Rosario.

The members of the Final 12 were announced late Sunday, ahead of Gilas' tune-up game against China in a pocket tournament in Bologna, Italy.

"In any team or in any sport, when you cut players, it's always the hardest," Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio said Sunday in an interview aired on TV5. "It's always difficult. But you have to give it to the guys."

"You can see they've given their dedication to the program. Everybody's been talking about the hard work they put in. It's remarkable. I hope all this pays dividends come the OQT," he added.

LA Tenorio and Calvin Abueva were the last two cuts made from the team.

(READ: Abueva, Tenorio left out as Gilas Pilipinas 12 finalized)

"Talagang mahirap," Antonio said of the decision to cut Tenorio and Abueva. "You have to understand that we built relationships, not only in this trip but through the months we've been together."

"It was difficult, but what made it easy was the way they responded, the way they took the decision," he added. "I think na kahit papaano, nakita natin na 'yung pusong Gilas is still there. I'm very thankful to LA and Calvin."

"I think they will still be part of the team. It's just hard, but we really have to cut 14 to 12."

Gilas Pilipinas is grouped with France and New Zealand in the preliminary round of the OQT. In the other group are Turkey, Senegal, and Canada.

The top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals. Only the winning team gains a ticket to the Rio Olympics in August.

Meet the latest Gilas Pilipinas team:

Andray Blatche

Age: 29
Height: 6-foot-11
Position: Center
Team: Xinjiang Flying Tigers
PBA Media Bureau photo

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