Gilas Pilipinas turns to PBA core for Asian Games title defense
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will field a largely new-look Gilas Pilipinas squad at the Asian Games in Nagoya, with head coach Tim Cone confirming that the bulk of the roster will come from the PBA as key imports from Japan and Korea are unavailable.
Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Quentin Millora-Brown, and Mike Phillips of the Japan B. League, along with KBL standouts Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo, are expected to miss the quadrennial tournament. That leaves roughly half the squad to be filled by fresh faces, much like the 2023 edition when Gilas ended a six-decade gold-medal drought.
Why is Gilas Pilipinas bringing mostly PBA players?
“None of the Japan or Korea players can play in the Asian Games. So, we just decided that we would pretty much bring an all-PBA contingent for the Asian Games, along with Justin,” Cone said, referring to Barangay Ginebra resident import Justin Brownlee.
The PBA will form the backbone of the squad, with several players from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ 30-man pool getting their shot. These include TNT’s Jordan Heading and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Rain or Shine’s Adrian Nocum and Caelan Tiongson, Converge’s Justin Arana, NLEX’s Robert Bolick, Blackwater’s Sedrick Barefield, Magnolia’s Zavier Lucero, San Miguel’s Don Trollano and Jerrick Ahanmisi, Phoenix’s Jason Perkins, and Meralco’s Brandon Bates.
National team holdovers like June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez of San Miguel, Scottie Thompson, RJ Abarrientos, and Troy Rosario of Barangay Ginebra, Calvin Oftana of TNT, Juan Gomez de Liaño and Justine Baltazar of Converge, and Chris Newsome of Meralco are also in the mix.
Will June Mar Fajardo and Kai Sotto play in the Asian Games?
Fajardo’s participation is uncertain. Cone revealed that the nine-time PBA MVP had wanted to retire from national team duties but agreed to play in the fourth window of the Asian Qualifiers this August due to manpower shortages, with big men Millora-Brown, Phillips, and Kai Sotto set to sit out.
Sotto, the 7-foot-3 star, remains a major question mark. “No word” on whether he will suit up, Cone said.
“One or two or three from the window team to join. But the bulk of the team will be new,” Cone added.
Is Benny Boatwright eligible for the Asian Games?
Cone is also hoping that Benny Boatwright will be cleared in time. The bill granting him Filipino citizenship still awaits the signature of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“We’re hoping that Benny would be all right to play in the Asian Games — that looks very doubtful at this point. But we’re still holding out hope,” said Cone.
When do the Asian Games basketball competitions start?
The basketball events in Nagoya, Japan, tip off on September 10, earlier than the official start of the continental showdown on September 19. Gilas Pilipinas is grouped with powerhouse China, Bahrain, and Kazakhstan in Group C.