With collegiate standouts not available, Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes has chosen to field a PBA-laden 16-man national team training pool for the Southeast Asian Games in May in Vietnam.
“We plan to bring all 16 to Vietnam, if it is possible. For now, we can’t name a final 12 roster but that is the pool,” Reyes said last Friday after TNT’s duel with NorthPort.
“We had long meetings with the coaching staff, and we felt that this is the line-up that will give us the best chance of winning the gold in the SEA Games,” he added.
Reigning six-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Matthew Wright, and Kevin Alas banner the pool along with fellow pros Robert Bolick, Kib Montalbo, Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Poy Erram, Mo Tautuaa, and Isaac Go.
Japan B. League imports Thirdy Ravena and Dwight Ramos and Will Navarro, LeBron Lopez, and Caelum Harris complete the pool.
The list was submitted in time for the deadline for the submission of entries by names set by the SEA Games organizers last Saturday.
“We are very happy, we are very fortunate, we are very thankful to Commissioner Willie (Marcial) and the PBA board for making available the following players,” he added. “The key now is how quickly we can start practice to prepare.”
Tabbing collegiate stars to suit up for the Nationals was thrown out of the window since the 97th NCAA and 84th UAAP cage wars are set to kick off this month and will run up to May.
