Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Six of the 15-man Gilas Pilipinas men’s talent pool for the Southeast Asian Games will come from crowd darling Barangay Ginebra, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and Tim Cone revealed on Thursday.
LA Tenorio, Scottie Thompson, Stanley Pringle, Greg Slaughter, and Art dela Cruz will banner the multi-titled mentor’s contingent for the biennial meet slated across multiple cities here on Nov. 30 through Dec. 11.
Rounding out the cast are Jayson Castro, Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Marcio Lassiter, Christian Standhardinger, Chris Ross, June Mar Fajardo, Vic Manuel, and Matthew Wright.
Cone, in a presser held at the PBA office, said the move was taking a page off Norman Black’s fabled team in 1994 that competed in Hiroshima, where core members of the San Miguel Beermen were surrounded by handpicked talents.
“This is something we don’t want to lose,” Cone said, adding that the SBP and the league felt it including amateurs to the crew would only get in the way of the collegiate season.
The selection will begin training on Monday at Meralco Gym.
SBP’s top honcho, Al Panlilio also bared the list from which the 3×3 contingent will be selected.
Top rookies Robert Bolick and CJ Perez banner the list which also includes 3×3 veteran Terrence Romeo.
Also in the crop are Tony Semerad, Ian Sangalang, Chris Banchero, Raymond Almazan, Jason Perkins, Mo Tautuaa, Baser Amer, Chris Newsome and Mac Belo.
The four-man lineup will be mentored by Ronnie Magsanoc, according to Panlilio.
“This is our home territory. We’re hosting. We want to make sure our showcase sport wins the gold medal,” Cone said of the campaign.
“So we’re gonna go hard and figure out the best way to do this. And do it well. That’s the goal. ”