THE Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) admitted it is hasn't received official word on the eligibility rules for men's basketball at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
Speaking during the send-off of athletes bound for the SEA Games, POC president Abraham 'Bambol' Tolentino said there is still no final ruling on the eligibility rules in basketball from the Thailand organizing committee.
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"Gabi-gabi na kami nagmi-meeting ng SEA Games Federation, halos inaaway ko na. Sabi ko, 'Bakit hanggang ngayon, hindi niyo pa fina-final 'yung list ng basketball?" said Tolentino.
"November 28 na. It's okay for us. I-disqualify niyo na 'yung gusto niyong i-disqualify, basta ibigay niyo na 'yung final list," said Tolentino.
Because of the dilly-dallying, the final Gilas Pilipinas roster for the SEA Games is still undetermined as the coaching staff headed by Norman Black remained uncertain on whether naturalized players will be allowed or not.
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In the run-up to the Games, Thailand organizers have also flip-flopped on whether the basketball competition will adhere to stringent Fiba eligibility rules or not.
"Bakit ayaw nating aminin na mas malakas ang Thailand sa muay, na mas malakas ang Indonesia sa pencak silat, na mas malakas ang Singapore sa swimming, pero sa basketball, aminin niyo naman na sa Pilipinas 'yan," said Tolentino.
Gilas is looking to win back-to-back titles in the SEA Games following its conquest in Cambodia, reclaiming the gold that it lost in 2022 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
One of the teams that are standing in the way of Gilas’ gold medal chances is host Thailand, bronze medalist in the last two editions, although it hasn’t returned to the finals since 2019.
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