Gilas coach Norman Black is set to call the first practice of the national basketball team representing the country at the SEA Games in Bangkok on Dec. 9-20 but the composition will depend on what the Organizing Committee decides at an eligibility policy meeting today.
Black said he’s scheduled the initial practice on Oct. 27. If the Organizing Committee retains the rule of ‘passports only’ for eligibility, Black said his team will enlist Justin Brownlee, Ange Kouame, Remy Martin, Ray Parks, Thirdy Ravena, Michael Phillips, Matthrew Wright, Greg Slaughter, Kymani Ladi, Veejay Pre and two more, possibly including Jamie Malonzo who was recently cut in the Japanese B-League.
If the Organizing Committee applies FIBA’s eligibility rules of one naturalized player and only foreign-born players with passports issued before 16, Black said he’ll reconstitute the lineup without Kouame, Martin, Phillips and Ladi.
‘No change in rules yet but I was told the Organizing Committee will meet again,’ said Black. ‘If there is no change, then we’re pretty much set with the lineup. If they go to FIBA rules, we’ll need much more help than two rookies from the PBA because I’m not sure where we’ll get our players from. That’s the reality of our situation. No matter the circumstances, we plan to form a lineup and start practice on Oct. 27.’
Black said he would’ve reeled in Dave Ildefonso and Jason Brickman but they’re still under contract in MPBL. UAAP will end its season just before the SEA Games begin so Phillips and Ladi may be available. Black said an option is to recruit MPBL players who’re available when their teams end the season.