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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Expect 'balanced' Gilas Men in 33rd SEA Games

Expect 'balanced' Gilas Men in 33rd SEA Games

Published Sep 9, 2025 03:37 pm
Justin Brownlee banners the PH squad for the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. (FIBA)
Justin Brownlee banners the PH squad for the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. (FIBA)
Gilas Pilipinas is trying to form a "balanced" team as it defends its men's 5-on-5 basketball crown in December's 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Three months before the official start of the biennial meet, the Nationals look forward to another top finish with nothing in mind but building a high-caliber squad
composed of overseas players and collegiate standouts.
“We’re forming the strongest team, not just the strongest but the most possibly a balanced team,” said Black during Tuesday’s PSA Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.
“There’s a lot of work to be done as far as organizing the team and preparation are concerned, but by the time we arrive at the Southeast Asian Games we will be ready,” he added as he graced the weekly event with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Erika Dy.
After being appointed to lead Gilas last month, Black is reclaiming the position which he once held way back in the 2011 Jakarta edition where he spearheaded the Nationals to a gold-medal victory.
As of now, naturalized player Justin Brownlee, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Ange Kouame, Matthew Wright, Remy Martin, Dave Ildefonso, Jason Brickman, and lone collegiate cager Veejay Pre have committed themselves for the SEAG team.
More invitations are expected to be handed out to other stars from the UAAP, NCAA, and even PBA.
Brownlee and Kouame already got the go signal after the SEA Games organizers
decided not to push through with its initial plan of adapting FIBA eligibility rules.
Martin, meanwhile, played NCAA Division I college basketball with the Arizona State Sun Devils and then transferred to the Kansas Jayhawks, where he won a NCAA National Championship in 2022. He earned an All-Pac-12 selection twice and was named the NCAA Tournament Midwest Region MOP (Most Outstanding Player) in 2022
According to Black, there is no definite schedule yet for the team’s practices with Wright and Parks expected to miss some sessions due to their commitment to their Japan B.League teams.
“The goal is to win the gold medal, and have the players that could represent the country bring their best,” Black continued.
“There’s a lot of work to be done as far as organizing the team and preparation are concerned, but by the time we arrive at the Southeast Asian Games we will be ready,” he added.

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