Gilas A-Team to Asiad

SO, the Samahan Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has spoken, almost with finality though, will send Gilas Pilipinas main core or the A-Team to defend the Gold medal the Nationals won last time, to the upcoming Asian Games slated in September to be hosted by the port city of Aichi in Nagoya, Japan.

But wait, the said main core, or should I say isn’t that solid, like it should be. Because six of Gilas’ key players, are missing in the line up as previously announced by SBP executive director Erika Dy, during the Senate hearing on final process naturalization of San Miguel Beerman Benny Boatwright, Elizabeth Means and Ateneo Blue Eagles’ Malick Diouf,a Nigerian.

Absent in the team roster are Japan B-Leaguers Dwight Ramos of Libanga Hokkaido, E.J Edu for Gunma Thunders, and Quintin Millora Brown, who recently signed with the Nagoya Dolphins.

Under B-League rules, those players, regarded as Asian imports, are not to play in none-FIBA sanction tournament, like Asian Games and the Southeast Asian Games. While our NBA hopeful 7” 3’ Kai Sotto, who already said goodbye to the Koshigawa Alphas two months ago, is still on the hunt of his lofty dreams.

Naturalized Justine Brownlee and his Ginebra backcourt tandem Scottie Thompson are out from the team roster due to injuries. The 36-year old Brownlee, was diagnosed with multiple injuries, after failing to see action in two of Gilas’ friendlies against a pair of New Zealand 's NBL teams, played only a limited time versus the Tall Blacks before totally sidelined during Gilas’ lose to Australia.

Thompson, is saddled again with a back injury he sustained in the last PBA Commissioner’s Cup title run.

Though six key players are out of the lineup, Dy is optimistic as she pointed out that since the Asian Games is not sanction by FIBA, SBP can tap the services other Fil-foreign players to fill-up the gap. As stated in the rules by Nagoya Organizing Committee eligibility, only passport is allowed as long as they ( foreign players) had secured a passport of their representing country before they turned 16-years old.

And with these leniency, the likes of US NCAA’s standouts with Filipino descent, Remy Martin, Manny and Ladi, Boogie Ellis, according to Dy, those players are considered locals. By the way, another boost to Gilas lineup possiblie addition of the 6”11’ Ange Kouame, who is reportedly completed a 10-year residency, since gaining his naturalization as required by FIBA. Now he’s considered local.

In another, bright prospect, it was also reported coach Tim Cone, had called the services of high flying Renz Abando, who had differed his re-sign with L.G Sharks in the Korean League to fulfill his duty with Gilas. Abando suites up with the Nationals during the 2023 FIBA World Cup the country hosted. Wherein he had shone his worthiness in both ends of the court.

Likewise Dy, explained that retaining the main core is to preserve the team chemistry and cohesiveness, so as not to disrupt the fluidity of Cone’s gameplan, since most of the players are already familiar with the style and technique the Ginebra mentor had laid out. SBP expects tougher oppositions from Jordan, in which Gilas defeated in finals,Iran, 2027 World Cup host Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, China, South Korea and the host Japan, which is reportedly bringing in theirYouthful and more talented team, and is current.y on training with the NBL teams in Australia.

Before proceeding to Japan, Dy announced Gilas Pilipinas is set to play a couple friendlies against the South Korean national team two weeks prior to the Nagoya Games kicks off from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4. As the basketball will ushers in ahead of the opening ceremonies.

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