The son of PBA legend and Shinshu Brave Warriors center has been tapped for the second time in the Akatsuki Five pool since last November but did not make it to the final lineup for Japan’s games in Sendai. 

The 25-year-old big man will be playing alongside his Shinshu teammates Reo Maeda, Ko Kumagai, and Yudai Okada.

“The most in the history of the Warriors! Japan national team candidate player selection. Ko Kumagai, Matthew Aquino, Reio Maeda, and Yudai Okada were selected as candidates for the Japanese men’s national team,” announced Shinshu on its social media page.

Naturalized player Luke Evans (Fighting Eagles Nagoya), as well as holdovers Avi Koki Schafer (SeaHorses Mikawa) and Ryo Terashima (Hiroshima Dragonflies) are expected to lead Japan’s campaign in the world qualifiers. 

Completing the roster are Yudai Nishida (SeaHorses Mikawa), Ryuto Yasuoka (Akita Northern Happinets), Isaiah Murphy (Hiroshima Dragonflies), Yo Nishino (SunRockers Shibuya), and Hiroya Kawasanada (Shiga Lakestars).

Japan head coach Tom Hovasse also tapped the services of three high school players including Tokai University’s Yuki Kawamura (Yokohama B-Corsairs) and Ren Kinchika, and Daito Bunka University’s Shinji Takashima.

Japan is scheduled to play against Chinese Taipei on February 26 and Australia on February 27 at the Okinawa Arena in their Group B games.