Manila: Juan Gomez de Lia±o will be stepping in for injured guard Scottie Thompson for the upcoming third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers next month. In a statement, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced that de Lia±o will take Thompson's place in the final 12 for the crucial road games against New Zealand and Australia.

According to Philippines News Agency, the development came days before the national team's departure for Auckland, where Gilas is scheduled to hold a training camp in preparation for the July 3 clash against New Zealand and the July 6 showdown with Australia in Perth. Gomez de Lia±o provides additional scoring and backcourt depth for a Philippine squad already dealing with several key absences.

Thompson has been nursing a hamstring injury but played through Ginebra's grueling seven-game finals series in the Commissioner's Cup, where he emerged as the finals Most Valuable Player. Thompson's absence adds to the manpower concerns faced by coach Tim Cone, whose squad is also without Kai Sotto, Quentin Millora-Brown, and Calvin Oftana for this window.

Big men Justine Baltazar, Mike Phillips, and Troy Rosario have been tapped to fill the void in the front court. Leading the roster is naturalized player Justin Brownlee, who joins the national team after powering Barangay Ginebra to the PBA Commissioner's Cup championship on Wednesday.

Also included are Ginebra guard RJ Abarrientos, veteran San Miguel center June Mar Fajardo, and Meralco stalwart Chris Newsome. Completing the 12-man lineup are Japan B.League campaigners Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Kevin Quiambao, and Carl Tamayo.

The Philippines currently shares second place with New Zealand in Group A at 2-2, behind unbeaten Australia at 4-0, with Guam winless at 0-4.