The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has openly described the final stages of assembling the Gilas Pilipinas men's 5x5 basketball team for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games as a "tedious" endeavor. The process, marked by confusion over eligibility rules and conflicting schedules, forced the national basketball federation into a last-minute scramble to secure a complete and competitive roster.
A Domino Effect of Rule Changes and Conflicts
The core of the problem began when host nation Thailand introduced an eligibility rule that prohibited naturalized players from participating in the men's 5x5 competition. This decision had an immediate and cascading impact on Gilas Pilipinas' original plans. The SBP had initially finalized a 12-man lineup back in September, but the new regulation rendered several key players ineligible.
Star naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame were suddenly barred from the 5x5 team. The rule's scope extended further to include players of mixed descent who obtained their Philippine passports after the age of 16, which also forced the exclusion of Remy Martin, Mike Phillips, Kymani Ladi, and Brandon Rosser from the original squad.
To adapt, the SBP assigned Ange Kouame to the men's 3x3 team, where naturalized players are permitted. He will be joined by Joseph Eriobu, Joseph Sedurifa, and Janrey Pasaol in a unique setup.
The Final Squad Takes Shape
Amidst the reshuffling, another complication arose. The Abra team, featuring initial Gilas call-ups Geo Chiu, Jason Brickman, and Dave Ildefonso, advanced to the MPBL National Finals. Their schedule directly clashed with the SEA Games basketball event, which begins on December 13, forcing the SBP to release them from national team duties.
This development left the SBP with only days to find four more players. After what the federation called a "mad scramble," the final 12-man roster for Gilas Pilipinas was secured. The team will feature a mix of seasoned veterans and new faces.
The final lineup includes: Jamie Malonzo, Dalph Panopio, Thirdy Ravena, Matthew Wright, Ray Parks, Ced Manzano, Justin Chua, Robert Bolick, Von Pessumal, Allen Liwag, Abu Tratter, and Veejay Pre. Only Ravena, Wright, Parks, and Pre were holdovers from the initial September lineup.
The SBP confirmed the roster in a statement on Thursday, hours after the Philippine Olympic Committee submitted the "Final 12" to Bangkok. The federation acknowledged the significant sacrifice made by the players and their mother leagues, including the PBA, UAAP, NCAA, and the Japanese B-League, in allowing them to prioritize national duty.
Road to the SEA Games Medal Round
Gilas Pilipinas has been placed in Group A alongside Malaysia and Vietnam. The team will have an opening-day bye before facing Malaysia and Vietnam on back-to-back nights on December 14 and 15.
The tournament format ensures that no team from Group A will be eliminated after the group stages. The top team from each group advances directly to the semifinals, while the second and third-placed teams will compete in crossover quarterfinals. Group B consists of Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Myanmar, where only one team will get an early exit.
The knockout semifinals will follow a crossover format, with the winners advancing to the gold medal game and the losers competing for bronze. A fifth-place playoff will also be held on the final day of competition, December 19, before the medal matches.
In its concluding statement, the SBP expressed gratitude: "We extend our deepest appreciation to all the players for dropping everything to compete for Gilas... The SBP wishes our basketball teams and the entire Philippine contingent all the best in Thailand."
