BY WAYLON GALVEZ
INDONESIA will have former PBA import Lester Prosper as its naturalized player in the 30th Southeast Asian Games which the country is going to host starting Nov. 30.
Prosper was tabbed by Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman – the same coach who called the shots for the original Smart Gilas Pilipinas from 2009 to 2011 – to be Indonesia’s naturalized player after plans to have Denzel Bowles (another former PBA import) did not materialize.
The 6-foot-10 Prosper played for the Columbian Dyip in the last PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
“We know they have naturalized players,” said Cone.
Reports also reached Gilas camp that Thailand is also working on the papers of its prospect to become a naturalized player.
If Thailand authorities can complete the necessary documents, they and the Indons are going to give Cone some headaches.
Gilas plays Singapore on opening day December 4, takes a break the following day then tackles Vietnam on December 6 and Myanmar on December 7. The semifinal is December 10 and the gold medal game is December 11.
The top two teams from each group will clash in the crossover semifinals.
In the previous SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur in 2017, the Philippines defeated Singapore in the semifinals 68-60, and downed Indonesia in the championship game 94-55.
