AS DECEMBER slowly approaches, the Gilas Pilipinas team under appointed head coach Norman Black has begun shaping its roster for the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand.
Aiming to defend the gold medal they won in Cambodia in 2023, the national team is expected to maximize every opportunity and field the strongest lineup possible for the December 9–20 tournament.
With the SEA Games maintaining its passport-only rule for player eligibility this year, the timing works out well, especially since professional players will not be available for the event.
Formidable Lineup
Head coach Norman Black confirmed that naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame will lead the team. They are already joined by six additional names.
Included in the roster are B.League standouts Ray Parks and Matthew Wright, PBA draftee Jason Brickman, Fil-Am guard and former US NCAA athlete Remy Martin, Abra Weavers’ Dave Ildefonso, and UP’s Veejay Pre.
“We do have some commitments from guys who are willing to play,” Black said. “Right now, Justin Brownlee, Ange Kouame, Ray Parks, Remy Martin, Matt Wright, Dave Ildefonso, Jason Brickman, and Veejay Pre have all committed to play for the team.”
However, Black has left four spots open on the roster, hoping for key reinforcements from the UAAP. While the wing positions appear to be set, the team is still in need of added size.
“We’re hoping to be able to add big men because, if you listen to the names I gave you, we lack size,” Black explained. “We’re hoping that we might get some consideration from the UAAP.”
“Because they have a lot of young and talented big men who can help us. Hopefully, they’ll be able to make some adjustments to allow their players to join the Southeast Asian Games,” he added.
Challenge Remains
Black also shared that the Korean Basketball League has refused to release Kevin Quiambao and SJ Belangel for the SEA Games, as the tournament does not fall within the official FIBA calendar.
“We were turned down by the teams from Korea and Japan, for the most part, when it came to recruiting Filipino players,” he said. “That took a lot of talent off the table as far as who we could bring in.”
Although the pool is coming together, Black acknowledged that putting the team together has been challenging, particularly with players committed to professional leagues and overseas duties.
“It’s been very difficult to get the teams to release their players, particularly the ones playing abroad, so it’s been challenging to secure the lineup we initially had in mind,” he said.
Meanwhile, Martin has been the name generating the most excitement among Gilas fans, given how openly he has expressed his desire to represent the team. However, Black is still unsure when Martin will officially join the squad.
Despite the challenges, Black is determined to complete the lineup and get the national team ready for the biennial event. For now, it’s a waiting game, as the UAAP has yet to announce its collegiate basketball schedule, which typically concludes by mid-December.
