Team Philippines aspirants start buildup for SEABA

MANILA, Philippines - The Gilas Pilipinas pool begins its buildup for the SEABA Championship in May with a three-day training camp from March 14-16.

Gilas team manager Butch Antonio said they have yet to book a venue but it will most likely be in Tagaytay.

All members of the national pool – the original cadet list plus the 13 additional from the PBA – are invited with Gilas coordinating the invitations with the PBA Commissioner’s Office.

Under the agreement between the PBA and the SBP, players from the original Gilas list will be released by their PBA mother teams to Gilas two months before the tourney. The 12 additional players will be made available to the pool a month before the competition.

“We’re inviting everyone. They may all attend as we’re being helped by commissioner Chito Narvasa,” Antonio told The STAR.

The Gilas team manager said the three-day training camp will likely include non-basketball activities that will help hasten the bonding of the pool members.

PBA rookies Mac Belo, Matthew Wright, Ed Daquiaog, Mike Tolomia, Roger Pogoy, Carl Bryan Cruz, Kevin Ferrer, Russel Escoto, Jio Jalalon, Arnold Van Opstal, Von Pessumal and Al Gotladera composed the original list.

The additions are June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Paul Lee, Jason Castro, Troy Rosario, Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, Raymond Almazan, Art dela Cruz, Bradwyn Guinto, LA Revilla, Norbert Torres and Jonathan Grey.