The road to the Southeast Asian Games for the Gilas Pilipinas men's basketball team has been anything but smooth. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has officially submitted its final roster for the regional meet in Bangkok, concluding what it described as a "tedious" process marked by shifting eligibility rules and last-minute player changes.
A Roster in Constant Flux
The initial 12-man lineup, formed back in September, was thrown into disarray by host Thailand's strict eligibility regulations. The rules barred naturalized players and those who received local passports after the age of 16. This immediately sidelined key players like Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame, forcing the SBP to scramble for replacements.
The situation worsened with the success of the Abra team in the MPBL. Their run to the National Finals, which coincides with the SEA Games starting December 13, 2025, made initial call-ups Geo Chiu, Jason Brickman, and Dave Ildefonso unavailable. This left the national federation with only days to rebuild a significant portion of the team.
The Final Lineup Takes Shape
After a rapid recruitment drive, the SBP secured commitments for the final squad. The team that will represent the Philippines in Group A includes:
- Jamie Malonzo
- Dalph Panopio
- Thirdy Ravena
- Matthew Wright
- Ray Parks Jr.
- Cedrick Manzano
- Justin Chua
- Robert Bolick
- Von Pessumal
- Allen Liwag
- Abu Tratter
- Veejay Pre
Only Ravena, Wright, Parks, and Pre remain from the original September roster. Coach Norman Black faced a final decision between Allen Liwag and Poy Erram, ultimately choosing the former to complete the lineup.
Navigating Challenges and Extending Gratitude
In a statement released on Thursday, December 4, following confirmation by the Philippine Olympic Committee, the SBP acknowledged the immense challenges. "After a tedious back-and-forth due to unclear and constantly changing eligibility rules, we at the SBP have submitted this list to the organizing committee, and it has been vetted and pre-approved," the federation stated.
The SBP also thanked the various leagues, including the NCAA and the PBA, for allowing their players to prioritize national duty despite ongoing campaigns. "We extend our deepest appreciation to all the players for dropping everything to compete for Gilas," the statement added.
With Kouame ineligible for the 5x5 event, he was moved to the men's 3x3 team, where naturalized players are permitted. He will join Joseph Eriobu, Joseph Sedurifa, and Janrey Pasaol.
The Road to the Medal Round
Gilas Pilipinas is grouped with Malaysia and Vietnam in Group A. The Philippines has a bye on the first day of competition before facing Malaysia and Vietnam on December 14 and 15, respectively.
The tournament format ensures no team from Group A will be eliminated after the group stage. The group winner advances directly to the semifinals, while the second and third-placed teams will play in crossover quarterfinals against teams from Group B, which includes Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Myanmar. Only one team from Group B will be eliminated early.
Even quarterfinal losers will have a chance to compete for fifth place on December 19, ahead of the medal games. The SBP concluded its statement by wishing "our basketball teams and the entire Philippine contingent all the best in Thailand."
