Gilas Pilipinas Men’s head coach for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, Norman Black, has unveiled three more players to his training pool, bringing the total lineup to 11 for the biennial meet set from December 9 to 20 in Thailand.
In Saturday’s edition of Power & Play with Noli Eala, Black revealed that he has added Thirdy Ravena (Dubai), Mike Phillips (La Salle), and Kymani Ladi (Ateneo) to the roster.
Previously confirmed to the pool were Justin Brownlee, Angelo Kouame, Ray Parks, Matthew Wright, Dave Ildefonso, Jason Brickman, Remy Martin, and Veejay Pre.
However, the final composition of the team hinges on whether the Thailand SEA Games Organizing Committee maintains the current “passport-only” eligibility rule for basketball or shifts to FIBA eligibility guidelines.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is currently operating under the assumption that the “passport-only” rule will remain in effect.
“This is my problem. We were told last June that it’s passport-only, and we formed our pool based on that. We did not form our pool based on FIBA rules. So if they were to change that this late in the day, it’s going to be a problem because we pretty much have a lineup already,” Black told Eala.
“A lot of the guys are overseas and not here in the Philippines, but we have a lineup that we can bring together three weeks before the tournament and start practicing. If they change the rules this late, that will be a big challenge. I’m not even sure where the new players would come from. But if they don’t change it, we’re pretty much set — we already have guys who have committed,” he added.
“That’s the big concern right now.”
(C) Dubai BC
If the organizers decide to enforce FIBA eligibility, Black said he would be left with only six available players: either Brownlee or Kouame, Parks, Wright, Ildefonso, Ravena, and Pre.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
One player Black was hoping to add as the 12th man was Quentin Millora-Brown. However, plans changed when Millora-Brown was reclassified as a local player.
“To be quite honest with you, he actually committed to play, and things changed when he got his passport. Now he’s committed to the World Cup team,” Black shared.
“In the beginning, he was committed. My attitude right now is to try to put together the best team I can. Those who want to play, I’ll welcome them. If they have other plans, I won’t get stuck.”
Black also mentioned that Greg Slaughter and Jamie Malonzo are being considered as possible additions, depending on the eligibility rules, which will be known on October 20.
“I just have to look for other options, maybe in the MPBL. If it comes down to that, I’ll do it,” said Black.
“Hopefully, the PBA also helps.”
