Gilas Pilipinas’ naturalized center Justin Brownlee. FIBA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Naturalized forward Justin Brownlee headlines the 28-man Gilas Pilipinas pool for the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games in May.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas on Saturday relased the names that also include June Mar Fajardo and reigning PBA MVP Scottie Thompson.
Joining the three are Mikey Williams, Jamie Malonzo, CJ Perez, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, Stanley Pringle, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, Kevin Alas, Aaron Black, Arvin Tolentino and Jeremiah Gray.
Beefing up the frontline are Japeth Aguilar, Christian Standhardinger, Poy Erram, Brandon Rosser and Raymond Almazan.
Young guns Deschon Winston, Kevin Quiambao, Mason Amos, Jerom Lastimosa, Michael Phillips, Ben Phillips and 6-foot-10 Fil-American AJ Edu.
The gloomy Nationals say goodbye to the Fiba Asia Cup in Indonesia after failing to make the Top Eight that relegated the country to its worst finish in 13 years. FIBA PHOTO
With Brownlee in tow, Gilas is expected to reclaim the gold it lost last year in the Hanoi Games after a stunning setback at the hands of Indonesia. The loss snapped a 52-game winning streak that began in 1997.
“That moment is upon us, and we’re not leaving any stone unturned in our overall bid to regain basketball glory in our region,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio. “What we’ve gone through after that fateful day in Hanoi, both the wins and the losses in the various tournaments that followed, are, in effect, geared also toward bringing the SEA Games gold medal back to our shores.
“And once Gilas assembles and starts practice for the competition in Cambodia, I expect nothing else but 100 percent effort and serious resolve in sending the most competitive national team possible to do the job of winning back the Gold. That is our commitment to our basketball-loving countrymen.”
The 28-man pool, submitted for its Entry By Name (EBN) list to the Philippine Olympic Committee, will be reduced to just 12 come May.