Confusion in SEA Games hoops?

MANILA, Philippines — There appears to be confusion in the eligibility policy for basketball at the coming SEA Games in Bangkok with conflicting reports on the enlistment of naturalized players. However, SBP executive director Erika Dy said yesterday no new directive has been sent by Thai organizers so the presumption is the traditional practice of allowing players with passports, regardless of when they were issued, to represent countries will remain.

“Per our Chef de Mission (Dr. Jose Raul Canlas), no changes from previous meeting,” said Dy. “But we are cautious about this and we keep checking.” Dr. Canlas noted that “it was verbally announced that a national passport will be the basis for eligibility as long as it is the passport to be used to get in and out of Thailand (but) we are waiting for written confirmation of this announcement.”

At the 2023 SEA Games, host Cambodia abused the policy to enlist five American imports with no residency requirement and went all the way to the final. Assuming the same eligibility policy for this year, Gilas coach Norman Black revealed a partial lineup with naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Ange Koume plus Fil-foreigners Jason Brickman and Remy Martin who received their passports after 16. Others in the roster are Matthew Wright, Dave Ildefonso, Bobby Ray Parks and Veejay Pre.

Reports from Bangkok recently circulated that SEA Games organizers would follow FIBA eligibility norms, meaning one naturalized recruit per team and no foreign-born player with a passport issued after 16. Another report claimed organizers are banning all naturalized imports and will allow only players with passports issued before they turned 16.

Gilas submitted a pool of 70 players to SEA Games officials last July and from this list will come the final 12. Black said he plans to begin practice in late October. Dy said UAAP has adjusted its schedule to end the season before the SEA Games begin. This will allow Black to draft from UAAP for Gilas. La Salle’s Michael Phillips is at the top of Black’s UAAP wish list. A plan to bring in two PBA players will depend on their availability.