By REYNALD MAGALLON
Gilas Pilipinas Southeast Asian Games head coach Norman Black has revealed eight players who have already committed to don the country’s colors in the biennial meet in December.
Overseas players Ray Parks Jr. and Matthew Wright headlined the list that also features NCAA division I player Remy Martin.
Also part of the list are Dave Ildefonso, Jason Brickman and collegiate standout Veejay Pre.
Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame are also included in the list after the SEA Games organizing committee changed its initial plans on adapting the FIBA eligibility rules.
Instead, the committee is adapting a ‘passport only rule’ which would allow Gilas to field two naturalized players as well as other Filipino players not eligible under the FIBA rules.
Although the players have already committed, it is not clear yet whether they already got a release from their mother teams.
The B.League, where Wright and Parks are playing will be in the middle of its season during the SEA Games. The same goes for the MPBL where both Brickman and Ildefonso play for Abra Weavers.
“I have not actually asked Ray Ray if he has gotten his release from his team. He just said that he would be able to accomplish that. Same with Matt Wright,” said Black in an interview at the sidelines of the PBA draft combine on Friday, Sept. 5.
“We also have to get them released also Hopefully, the MPBL will help us,” he added, referring to the case of both Brickman and Ildefonso.
As for Martin, his participation is also hinged on his release from his team and when he will be able to come to the country for the preparations.
“The situation with a lot of these players are, they have responsibilities and obligations to those teams, but they want to play for the national team,” added Black.
“Even the guys that aren’t playing, I mean, there are a lot of guys, and to be frank with you, playing in South Korea right now, who are all committed to play, and then later on they found out they could not,” he added as he earlier had commitments from the likes of Kevin Quiambao and SJ Belangel.
As for the remaining spots, Black said the team is looking at the possibility of tapping players, especially the big men from UAAP, or if schedule permits, the PBA as well.
“We lack bigs. And we’re hoping that we (get that) from the UAAP because they have a lot of big men there that can help us,” he said.
“They’re young and they’re good. So we’re hoping we’re able to make some adjustments so we can be able to announce more players to play for the Southeast Asian Games,” he added.
