The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has officially announced the final 12-man lineup for the Gilas Pilipinas Men’s national team, which will represent the country at the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Under the guidance of head coach Norman Black, the fourth iteration of the Gilas squad features a mix of veteran and rising talents.
The team will be composed of Jamie Malonzo, Dalph Panopio, Thirdy Ravena, Matthew Wright, Ray Parks, Cedric Manzano, Justin Chua, Robert Bolick, Von Pessumal, Allen Liwag, Abu Tratter, and VJ Pre.
The SBP confirmed that the submission of the final roster followed a “tedious back and forth” process, primarily due to initially unclear and frequently changing rules regarding player eligibility. “We at the SBP have submitted this list to the local organizing committee, and it has been vetted and has undergone pre-approvals,” the federation stated.
The organization expressed gratitude to the players for their commitment, acknowledging the sacrifices made to join the national team pool. “We extend our deepest appreciation to all the players for dropping everything to compete for Gilas,” the statement read.
Additionally, the SBP thanked its crucial partners across the basketball landscape for their cooperation in releasing the players. Special thanks were given to the PBA, the UAAP, the NCAA, and the Japanese B-League, whose players were permitted to compete for flag and country.
