Gilas Cadets leave for SEA Games, start gold medal bid vs Indonesia

Marcus Douthit leads the Gilas Cadets as they leave for Singapore to compete at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games. FILE PHOTO

The Philippine men’s basketball team leaves on Saturday for the 2015 Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.

The Gilas Cadets, boosted by naturalized Filipino Marcus Douthit, are poised to win the gold and extend the country’s reign as the top basketball nation in the region.

The Nationals, who are coached by American-New Zealander Tab Baldwin, will open their campaign against Indonesia on Wednesday, 1 p.m., at OCBC Arena Hall.

Completing the 12-man cast are UAAP MVP Kiefer Ravena of Ateneo, Troy Rosario and Glenn Khobuntin of UAAP champion National University, Jiovani Jalalon, Prince Rivero, Almond Vosotros and Norbert Torres of De La Salle University, Mac Belo of Far Eastern University, Kevin Ferrer of University of Santo Tomas and NCAA MVP Scottie Thompson of University of Perpetual Help.

The Philippines has bagged the gold medal in men’s basketball since its inclusion in 1977 except in 1989 when Malaysia won it at home. RC