SOME say it’s overkill, others say it’s the right recipe.
In a tilt where nothing less than winning a gold medal is expected from Gilas Pilipinas, coach Chot Reyes has chosen to field a PBA-laden team in the country’s title-retention bid in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi.
Reigning six-time pro league MVP June Mar Fajardo, Mo Tautuaa, Isaac Go, Troy Rosario, Matthew Wright, Roger Pogoy, Kib Montalbo, Kevin Alas and young guns LeBron Lopez and Will Navarro banner the nationals 12-man line-up.
Japan B. League imports and brothers Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena were also included in the list released by the Philippine Olympic Committee yesterday.
Cut from the original 16-man pool were Dwight Ramos, who unlike Kiefer, still has to finish his commitment with Toyama in the fledgling Japan league; Robert Bolick, Japeth Aguilar, JP Erram, and Fil-Am Caelum Harris.
Kiefer’s Shiga will wind up its campaign this weekend.
Bolick had to go to the US to be with his father for personal reasons, while Aguilar is recovering from a calf injury he suffered in the finals of the last Governors Cup.
Kiefer is eyeing to bag a sixth mint in the Games.
Reyes can still tweak the list submitted to Hanoi organizers until the team managers’ meeting on the eve of the start of the cage meet scheduled from May 16 to 22 at the Thanh Trí¬ District Sporting Hall.
Gilas will leave for Hanoi on May 13.
