WITH the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games fast approaching, Norman Black — set to lead Gilas Pilipinas as head coach for the tournament — has begun assembling a roster to defend their title this December.

With a few months to go before the tournament takes place in Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla, Thailand, Black has already begun his preparations, gradually building a wish list of potential players.

As reported by Spin.ph, a number of college stars and overseas-based talents have either shown interest in suiting up for Gilas or submitted their passports to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and the coach.

Big Names After Big Names

Concerns arose about Gilas’ ability to form a competitive roster for their title defense, especially after the PBA announced it would be in the middle of its season during the SEA Games, making only a limited number of its players likely available.

Given the situation, Black and the rest of the management shifted their focus to players outside the PBA—those currently competing overseas or recently wrapping up their respective seasons.

Included in the list are Korea-based standouts Kevin Quiambao and SJ Belangel, newly recognized Gilas local Quentin Millora-Brown, and Japan-based Asian imports Matthew Wright and Ray Parks.

Also submitting their passports to Black and the SBP are former US NCAA players Remy Martin, Boogie Ellis, and Kihei Clark; UAAP talents Mike Phillips and Mason Amos; along with Juan and Javi Gomez de Liano, and playmaker Jason Brickman.

Will They Be Available?

As promising as the list appears, the final Gilas Pilipinas roster will ultimately depend on two key factors: the eligibility rules to be enforced by the SEA Games organizing committee and the clearance from each player’s respective mother team.

According to reports, FIBA has urged SEA Games organizers to follow its eligibility standards—allowing only one naturalized player and locals who obtained their passports before the age of 16. However, a final decision has yet to be made.

If FIBA’s eligibility rules are adopted, Coach Norman Black will likely build a roster featuring Justin Brownlee, along with college stars like Phillips, Amos, possibly Kean Baclaan, and overseas-based pros from Korea and Japan.

In this scenario, the biggest challenge would be securing the release of these players from their respective teams and leagues, as the SEA Games is not part of the official FIBA calendar and therefore doesn’t fall within a designated international window.

In preparation, Black is also eyeing UP Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde and Ateneo Blue Eagles assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga to join him on the Gilas coaching staff.

For now, however, both SBP and Black remain in wait-and-see mode, as they await Thailand’s final decision on whether to implement FIBA’s full eligibility criteria or adopt a simpler passport-based requirement.