The final 12 players who will comprise the Philippine team that will compete in the FIBA World Cup will be revealed two days before the Aug. 25 tip-off, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) President Al Panlilio said.

Panlilio said Gilas Pilipinas coaching staff are using the three remaining pocket tournaments to select the best and most fit players from their deep, talent-laden pool.

“I know other countries have already done it, but you could imagine the difficulty for the coaches to decide the Final 12,” said Panlilio, adding that it would most likely be disclosed during the team manager’s meeting on Aug. 23.

Gilas is expected to play tune-up games against Ivory Coast on Aug. 18, Montenegro on Aug. 20 and Mexico on Aug. 21 behind closed doors for its final preparations.

From the initial 21-player pool, the team is now down to 16 players that include NBA star Jordan Clarkson and 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto.

Sotto was last to join the pool along with Scottie Thompson, who both nursed injuries.

Panlilio said Sotto was cleared to play after doctors from SBP and the player’s camp discussed his status following a back injury he sustained during the NBA Summer League with the Orlando Magic last month. Thompson, for his part, is returning after being diagnosed with a metacarpal fracture in his shooting hand during training in Europe last month.

Other members of the pool are June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Chris Newsome, Jamie Malonzo, CJ Perez, Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Dwight Ramos, Ray Parks, brothers Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Rhenz Abando and AJ Edu.

Panlilio is optimistic of the team’s chances in the group stage, where Gilas is bracketed with the Dominican Republic, Angola and Italy.

“My gut feel says kakayanin natin,” Panlilio said.

“I hope we can win two games. My aspiration is not only to replicate, but to do better than our previous FIBA World Cup appearance,” he added, referring to the Nationals’ 2014 stint in Spain where they won against Angola in overtime, 81-79.

Gilas opens its campaign on Aug. 25 against Dominican Republic at the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bulacan, followed by Angola on Aug. 27, then Italy on Aug. 29, both at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.