CHICAGO - Starting this morning, the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City will echo the familiar hum of bouncing basketballs and squeaking sneakers.
And that’s because the members of the deep and new-look Gilas Pilipinas pool for the 2026 Asian Games will convene for practice for the first time.
READ Bolick, Nocum, Lucero, Barefield invited to Gilas pool for Asiad
With coach Tim Cone busy with Gilas practice on a separate Manila venue, his Ginebra deputy, Richard Del Rosario, will oversee the Asiad pool players alongside TNT assistant Josh Reyes and former NLEX head coach Jong Uichico.
A slew of the PBA’s young stars will be in attendance, each working their butts for the privilege to represent the flag.
And while everyone is deserving of a shot to help the Philippines defend its title, sources told me that three of the PBA’s brightest are almost a lock to make it to Nagoya, Japan.
TRIPLE HAPPINESS.
Zavier Lucero of Magnolia. Sedrick Barefield of Blackwater. And Robert Bolick of NLEX.
Each of that Big Three are franchise players who are destined to be PBA fixtures for years and years to come.
That’s some serious firepower right there, especially with the versatile Lucero, a two-way threat who was named the PBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2025.
But stamping our hoops dominance in the region requires the best of the best.
A GREAT CAST.
Among the notables vying for a Final 12 spot include Brandon Bates, Adrian Nocum, Caelan Tiongson, Jerrick Ahanmisi, Don Trollano, Jordan Heading, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Justine Baltazar, Justin Arana and Jason Perkins.
It’s a diverse group with which to choose from, plenty of playmakers and wings, and with enough size to anchor the D and control the boards.
TNT’s Sean Quitevis, a whirling dervish of a guard, was invited to join the pool as a practice player.
Before heading to Japan for the title-defense mission, the Asiad teams travels to Korea to play a pair of friendlies against the Korean national team.
Whoever that Final 12 will be, the squad is sure to be well-equipped to get the job done.
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