The UAAP has expressed its willingness to lend players from the collegiate league to bolster Gilas Pilipinas Men’s title defense at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December.
Previously, league executive director Rebo Saguisag stated that the eight-member schools would have the final say on possible player releases to the Philippines’ men’s basketball roster for the biennial regional tournament.
However, Far Eastern University athletics director Mark Molina, the UAAP Board of Directors’ representative to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, confirmed that the league will accommodate potential player releases from their respective universities.
This move reaffirms the UAAP’s trust in all national basketball programs, following the participation of multiple players from its Under-16 division in the recently concluded FIBA U-16 Asia Cup representing Gilas Youth.
In addition, the league has cleared the way for Ateneo’s Kacey Dela Rosa, Adamson duo Elaine Etang and Cheska Apag, and National University’s Cielo Pagdulagan and Tin Cayabyab to represent Gilas Women in the FIBA 3×3 U-23 World Cup later this week.
“We always communicate to the SBP that the UAAP is ready and willing to support the national team at all levels,” Molina said during the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Basketball Press Conference on Monday afternoon at Gloria Maris Shark’s Fin Restaurant in San Juan.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Molina also revealed that the UAAP Board of Directors and SBP executive director Erika Dy are in constant communication to explore the possibility of shortening the collegiate basketball season, allowing student-athletes to participate in the SEA Games.
UAAP men’s basketball commissioner Jai Reyes confirmed this development, noting his close coordination with Gilas SEA Games head coach Norman Black — his former coach at Ateneo — regarding player availability and scheduling flexibility.
“I talk to Coach Norman a lot. They really want UAAP players to represent the Philippines in the SEA Games, and that’s the board’s goal — to have more athletes represent the country. As Sir Mark Molina said earlier, they’ll discuss this further. Normally, it’s difficult because the season runs continuously, but for the flag and the country, the board will try to make it possible for players to join the SEA Games,” Reyes said.
This development is particularly welcome as Black has expressed his hope that the UAAP will adjust its schedule to allow student-athletes — especially big men who could fill the final four slots of Gilas Men’s SEA Games roster — to join the squad.
The current Gilas Men pool features eight players: naturalized stars Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame, B.League standouts Ray Parks and Matthew Wright, PBA rookie Jason Brickman, Fil-Am guard Remy Martin, Abra Weavers’ scorer Dave Ildefonso, and UP forward-in-residency Veejay Pre.
