The Philippine basketball team, collectively known as Gilas Pilipinas, is facing “lighter” opposition in the elimination round as it has been bracketed in Group A along with Malaysia, Singapore, and Cambodia in the men’s basketball competition of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
The men’s and women’s basketball competitions will be held on May 9 to 16 at the Morodok Techo National Stadium Elephant Hall 2 in Pnom Penh.
Gilas opens its title-reclaiming bid against Malaysia on May 9, before facing Cambodia on May 11 and Singapore on May 13.
Bracketed in Group B are Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and defending champion Indonesia, which dethroned the Philippines in the Vietnam SEA Games last year.
The top two finishers in each group will battle the no. 2 teams, while the nos. 3 and 4 play each other in
The semifinal winners will meet for the gold medal on the final day on May 16. Losers will dispute the bronze medal.
Coach Chot Reyes has recently voiced his concerns about the recruitment of players for the Cambodia SEA Games because most of the top prospects are begging off for various personal reasons, while others are still recovering from their previous injuries.
While it is most likely that Gilas will be backstopped by Ginebra resident import and naturalized Filipino Justin Brownlee, others like Jamie Malonzo and Mikey Williams will not make the team due to their previous commitment to the respective families.
Six-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, who is still recuperating from an ACL injury, made his commitment to the Gilas squad in the FIBA World Cup slated for August. Reyes said Ginebra’s big man Japeth Aguilar is still doubtful to join.
Reyes was reminded of last year’s woes, where Gilas was depleted for several reasons.
“Just like last year, we were practicing with a certain number of guys, and then suddenly, Paul Lee couldn’t make it. Kevin Alas couldn’t make it. Japeth got injured in the finals. Hate to say it, but here we go again,” Reyes told ONE Sports.
For a start, however, Reyes has already sealed the commitment of two-time PBA Best Player of the Conference awardee Christian Standhardinger and another San Miguel stalwart Cjay Perez.
Indonesia, seeking to extend its reign on the SEA Games basketball throne, is reportedly coming back with three reinforcements, while Thailand has also employed Thai-foreign players.