Manila: The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) described the process of forming the Gilas Pilipinas final men's 5x5 basketball team for the Southeast Asian Games as "tedious."
According to Philippines News Agency, Gilas had initially set a 12-man lineup for the SEA Games in September. However, a complication arose when Thailand's eligibility rule created confusion, necessitating significant changes to the team roster. The situation was further complicated as Abra, featuring key players Geo Chiu, Jason Brickman, and Dave Ildefonso, advanced to the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) National Finals, which coincided with the SEA Games schedule starting December 13.
In a last-minute effort to assemble a complete roster, Gilas successfully secured commitments from 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. Ravena, Wright, Parks, and Pre remained from the original lineup, which also included Brickman, Ildefonso, Justin Brownlee, Ange Kouame, Remy Martin, Mike Phillips, Kymani Ladi, and Brandon Rosser.
Thailand's "no naturalized player rule" excluded Brownlee and Kouame from participation, prompting the SBP to allocate Kouame to the men's 3x3 team, where naturalized players are permitted. Kouame will join Joseph Eriobu, Joseph Sedurifa, and Janrey Pasaol, who is set to be named the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Most Valuable Player.
The restriction on naturalized players extended to those of mixed descent without a local passport before the age of 16, leading to the exclusion of Martin, Phillips, Ladi, and Rosser from the men's 5x5 team. Consequently, the SBP called up Malonzo, Bolick, Pessumal, Tratter, and initially Chiu. However, with the Weavers' sweep in the MPBL North Division Finals, the SBP had to release Brickman, Ildefonso, and Chiu. The timely commitments of Panopio, Manzano, Chua, and Liwag completed the team.
The SBP statement, issued after the Philippine Olympic Committee confirmed the "Final 12" roster, expressed gratitude for the players' and their respective leagues' support. The organization acknowledged that the Red Lions and Blazers are engaged in a Final 4 battle, while the Bolick-led NLEX Road Warriors pursue a twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
Gilas is grouped with Malaysia and Vietnam in Group A for the SEA Games. They will bypass the opening day and face Malaysia and Vietnam on consecutive nights, December 14-15. The group stage format ensures no immediate elimination from Group A, unlike Group B, where one team will face early exit. The crossover semifinals will decide the finalists for the gold, while others will compete for bronze and fifth place on December 19.
