THE Philippines will seek clarification on the eligibility rules that will be implemented in the basketball competitions of the coming Southeast Asian Games.
The Philippine delegation’s chef de mission, Dr. Raul Canlas, said this a week before he attends a CDM meeting in Bangkok on Aug. 19.
Canlas explained organizers will implement FIBA rules in the men’s basketball, women’s cagefest, and in the 3×3 events.
This means participating countries will be allowed to field national teams with only one naturalized player.
Under the same rules, dual citizens are required to have the passport of the country they choose to represent by the age of 16 to be considered a local.
This may mean that the Philippines, under coach Norman Black, will have to assemble a different roster and with more local talent involved.
“We are still clarifying some qualifications that they are doing in basketball,” said Canlas.
In previous SEA Games editions, host Cambodia brought in naturalized American players Darrin Dorsey, Darius Henderson, Dwayne Morgan, Brandon Peterson, and Sayeed Pridgett for its men’s team.
Cambodia swept its group stage, made it to the semifinals, but lost to Gilas Pilipinas in the battle for the gold medal.
A delegation of more than 1,600 athletes is now preparing for the biennial meet, set from December 9 to 20.
Games will be held at the Bangkok Metropolitan Region and in the provinces of Chonburi and Songkhla, Thailand.
Among the players expected to be called up for national team duty are Philippine Basketball Association cagers like San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez, Meralco’s Chris Newsome, Barangay Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, Troy Rosario, RJ Abarrientos and TNT’s Calvin Oftana.
