MANILA — Two all-Philippine-Basketball-Association-star pools were named by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) for both the 5-on-5 and the 3×3 basketball competitions for the Southeast Asian Games.
As revealed on Thursday, Japeth Aguilar, Jayson Castro, Arth Dela Cruz, Junemar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, Vic Manuel, RR Pogoy, Stanley Pringle, Troy Rosario, Chris Ross, Chris Standhardinger, Greg Slaughter, LA Tenorio, Scottie Thompson, and Matt Wright to the 5-on-5 pool, which will be coached by Tim Cone.
Cone said that the lack of time to prepare for the SEA Games prompted him to choose six of his players in Ginebra to make up the core of the Gilas Men 5-on-5 pool.
On the other hand, Terrence Romeo, a familiar face in the local 3×3 circuit, makes his return to the Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 Men pool.
Joining him are Raymond Almazan, Baser Amer, Robert Bolick, Chris Banchero, Mac Belo, Chris Newsome, CJ Perez, Jason Perkins, Anthony Semerad, Ian Sangalang, and Mo Tautuaa.
Interestingly enough, local 3×3 stars Dylan Ababou, Chris de Chavez, Joshua Munzon, and Alvin Pasaol, among others, were not included in the pool.
However, SBP president Al Panlilio said in a press conference at the PBA office in Quezon City that the decision was made so that the said players can focus in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament next year.
The 3×3 event will be the first to take place on Dec. 1-2 at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The 5-on-5 event will take place on Dec. 5-10 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
