Indonesia drops Bowles

But the national team couldn’t afford to wait any longer so we crossed him out

DENZEL Bowles will not be in attendance when Indonesia faces Gilas Pilipinas in the 30th SEA Games.

The much-anticipated battle between Denzel Bowles and Gilas Pilipinas in the 30th Southeast Asian Games hit a major snag.

According to online reports from Jakarta, the former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) import was given the pink slip by the Indonesian basketball federation, making him ineligible to compete in the prestigious biennial meet that the Filipinos will host this December.

The federation, Perbasi, said Bowles struggled to fit into the system of new coach Rajko Toroman, who also used to be the head coach of the Philippine men’s basketball team.

“His mentality often change so it becomes less stable,” said Maulana Fareza Tamrella, team manager of the Indonesian national squad.

“Denzel also still needs adaptation with the national team. But the national team couldn’t afford to wait any longer so we crossed him out.”

The possible clash between Bowles and the Filipinos is tipped to spice up the men’s basketball tournament since the American made good account of himself when he was still playing for B-Meg and Rain or Shine in the PBA.

In fact, excitement started to float when Bowles displayed his Indonesian jersey in social media last month, shortly he started training with the team on 17 September.

Indonesia was supposed to apply him for naturalization in a bid to boost its national team program in preparation for its co-hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023 together with the Philippines and Japan.

But those plans vanished as he reportedly locked horns with Toroman and the rest of the team.

“For Denzel, it has become a coach’s decision because he sees his performance and mental and emotional condition,” Tamrella said.

The Indonesians saw action in the Hualien International Basketball Tournament in Taiwan last month, where they won two games in five matches.

They are now looking for his replacement.