THE waiting game for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is on as the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games committee is set to convene on August 27 to finalize the eligibility rules for the regional meet which kicks off on December 9 in Thailand.
In an earlier report by SPIN.ph, SBP executive director Erika Dy said the federation has received a circular from Thailand that organizers will be implementing strict FIBA rules when it comes to eligibility.
But speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Pilipinas United League 3x3 event over the weekend, Dy shared that everything will be finalized next week - hopefully giving clarity to what coach Norman Black's side will look like come December.
“Its either FIBA rules ba ang magaapply, or basta may passport pwede maglaro. Yun naman yung tanong doon,” Dy said.
READ: All these players are willing to play for Gilas at SEA Games
There are already several players playing both here and abroad that have submitted their passports to the federation in the hope of representing the country abroad.
For the likes of Ray Parks, who've donned the national team jersey countless times in the past, and the recently reclassified local Quention Millora-Brown, this wouldn't be an issue given their local status with FIBA.
This would be a problem for the likes of Michael Phillips, Remy Martin and other foreign-born Filipinos especially with their status as locals in FIBA up in the air.
A potential FIBA ruling for eligibility also means that Gilas Pilipinas will have to choose between their naturalized players in Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame.
The two naturalized Pinoys actually played together in the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China when Gilas Pilipinas took home the gold medal for the first time in 60 years.
But despite the uncertainty surrounding the eligibility rules, Dy shared how coach Norman Black is still actively talking to different players as he looks to build a formidable roster and repeat his 2011 run where he led a young squad to a gold medal.
"Sa preference ni Coach Norman yon kung sinong players dadalhin niya," Dy said.
"In terms of the composition, we’re still allowing him to talk to different players to come up with his roster.”
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