Tolentino confident Gilas can defend SEAG crown without naturalized players

0Shares

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino is confident that Gilas Pilipinas can defend its Southeast Asian Games title even without naturalized players on the roster. Speaking to reporters on Monday, December 8, after the SEAG Council meeting at the Grand Four Wings Hotel in Bangkok, Tolentino emphasized that the team remains capable of repeating its championship performance.

“Gilas can win the title again — and I believe that,” Tolentino said. “It is still painful not to see some of our players, but Gilas Pilipinas can still do it. They will still be the champion.”

Under multi-titled coach Norman Black, the Philippine men’s team will open its title defense against Malaysia on Sunday at 11:30 a.m., followed by a game against Vietnam on Monday at the same time at Nimibutr Stadium.

Gilas looks to defend the crown it reclaimed from Cambodia in 2023.

Gilas Pilipinas adapts roster amid naturalized player ban

Thai organizers have prohibited naturalized players Justin Brownlee, Brandon Rosser-Ganuelas, and Michael Philips from participating, forcing the Philippines to adjust its lineup. Coach Black has named Thirdy Ravena, Matthew Wright, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Jamie Malonzo, Von Pessumal, Robert Bolick, Justin Chua, Dalph Panopio, Allen Bryant Liwag, Veejay Pre, and Cedrick Manzano as the final roster.

Tolentino noted that the Philippine team will fly to Bangkok on Thursday from Manila and that the lineups of other Pool A teams — Malaysia and Vietnam — as well as Pool B teams — Indonesia, Singapore, Myanmar, and host Thailand — are yet to be finalized. He highlighted that the delegation remains focused on teamwork and preparation despite the absence of some of their strongest players.

Eyes on back-to-back SEAG glory

The Philippines regained the SEAG crown it lost in Hanoi in 2022 by defeating host Cambodia 80-69 in 2023, a victory powered by Justin Brownlee’s 23 points and seven rebounds in the gold medal game. Tolentino emphasized that, even without naturalized players, the current Gilas roster has the experience and talent to defend the title successfully.

Preparations for the opening Pool A games are already underway, with Tolentino and Black confident that teamwork, discipline, and execution will allow Gilas Pilipinas to continue its dominance in Southeast Asian basketball and bring home another gold medal.