After days of scrambling for replacements, Gilas Pilipinas named big men Cedrick Manzano, Justin Chua, Abu Tratter and Allen Liwag to the team that will attempt to defend the gold medal in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
The Philippine Olympic Committee released the roster of squads Friday as Gilas bids to win the country’s 20th gold medal in the biennial sportsfest.
Chua and Tratter play for Blackwater in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Meanwhile, Manzano finished his stint with Adamson University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines while Liwag is playing his final season for College of Saint Benilde in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
They will join the squad composed of PBA standouts Dalph Panopio of Blackwater, Von Pessumal of Titan Ultra and Robert Bolick of NLEX as well as the core of Thirdy Ravena, Matthew Wright, Ray Parks and Veejay Pre.
Jamie Malonzo, who is now playing in Japan, was also included in the final roster.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) thanked the players who went out of their way to suit up for the national team despite the constant eligibility changes made by host Thailand.
“After a tedious back and forth due to initially unclear and constantly changing rules in player eligibility, we at the SBP have submitted this list to the local organizing committee and it has been vetted and has undergone pre-approvals,” the SBP said in a statement.
“We extend our deepest appreciation to all the players for dropping everything to compete for Gilas.”
Gilas had to adjust its roster after the Thais kept on changing the eligibility rules.
Naturalized player Justin Brownlee was booted out as well as Filipino-Americans Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Mike Phillips and Kymani Ladi.
Jason Brickman, Dave Ildefonso and Geo Chiu begged off to join Abra in its title run in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.