IS it going to be another all-PBA team for Gilas Pilipinas in the 20th Asian Games?
Most likely.
Sources of SPIN.ph say the national squad is ready for the possibility of not having a single overseas-based player when the country bids to retain the men’s basketball golf medal in the quadrennial showcase in Nagoya next month.
READ Gilas, China set for early Asiad clash in group stage
The Asiad not being sanctioned by FIBA made Gilas mainstays who are playing as Asian imports in the Japan B. League and the Korean Basketball League unavailable for the Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 meet.
“Wala na 'yung mga Japan boys,” said one source privy to the matter.
Japan boys meant not having Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, and Quentin Millora-Brown along with newly-signed Mike Philips and Jamie Malonzo on the roster. Ramos and Edu are set to play in the B.League game in Manila.
Also out are the KBL duo of Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao.
All seven have been regular fixtures for Gilas Pilipinas in the past two years.
Big man Kai Sotto is no longer affiliated with any B. League teams, but even his availability for the Asiad remains hanging in the balance amid negotiations for a stint in the US NCAA.
Overseas players were also not around for the Philippines during the 19th edition of the Asiad in Hangzhou, China where coach Tim Cone relied on a team made up largel of PBA players to end the country’s 61-year gold medal title drought when it beat Jordan in the finale, 70-60.
Gilas will try to apply the same magic in its title-retention bid.
Some from the Hangzhou Asiad have been listed as part of the team’s long list submitted by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to the Japan Asiad Organizing Committee, such as naturalized players Justin Brownlee, Ange Kouame, June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, CJ Perez, Chris Newsome, and Calvin Oftana.
And then there’s the new ones in Sedrick Barefield, Brandon Bates, Zavier Lucero, Jason Perkins, Adrian Nocum, Caelan Tiongson, Jerrick Ahanmisi, Don Trollano, Jordan Heading, Robert Bolick, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Justin Baltazar, Justin Arana, Juan Gomez De Liano, Troy Rosario, RJ Abarrientos, and naturalized player Bennie Boatwright.
The SBP admitted it has already submitted a pruned down list to the Nagoya Asiad orgainzers and it’s understood both Brownlee and Boatwright are part of the remaining candidates. - Gerry Ramos
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