Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 5) – The 12-man Gilas Pilipinas lineup for the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam has been finalized, according to the roster released by the Philippine Olympic Committee on Thursday.
Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes also confirmed in his Instagram account the 12-man lineup bannered by brothers Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena.
Kiefer will vie for his sixth straight SEA Games gold medal, hoping to extend his record as the most bemedaled Filipino cager in the biennial sports event.
Thirdy will make his SEA Games debut in Vietnam.
Six-time PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo banner the professional dribblers in the lineup along with Troy Rosario, Mo Tautuaa, Isaac Go, Matthew Wright, RR Pogoy, Kib Montalbo, and Kevin Alas.
Gilas cadet William Navarro and young standout Lebron Lopez complete the Gilas team seeking to continue the country’s dominance in the sport.
Reyes explained that guards Dwight Ramos and Robert Bolick missed the cut due to their obligations abroad. Ramos is still committed with Toyama Grouses in the Japan B. League, while Bolick flew to the United States to be with his ailing father.
The Gilas mentor added that veteran big man Japeth Aguilar also failed to make the final 12 due to calf injury that he incurred in the last PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs, where his ballclub Barangay Ginebra San Miguel hoisted the crown.
The Philippines won the last 13 men’s basketball competitions in the SEA Games and harvested 18 gold medals since the sport was first played in the 1977 Kuala Lumpur Games.
