A blend of seasoned veterans and rising collegiate standouts makes up the Final 12 of the Norman Black-led Gilas Pilipinas squad in their quest for for back-to-back gold at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand.
Thirdy Ravena, Ray Parks Jr., and Matthew Wright headline the 12-man Gilas Pilipinas basketball lineup set to defend its gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand.
[ALSO READ: Gilas coach Norman Black has 'biggest concern' ahead of SEA Games]
The trio will be joined by PBA cagers Robert Bolick, Dalph Panopio, Abu Tratter, Von Pessumal, and Justin Chua, alongside collegiate standouts Cedrick Manzano, Veejay Pre, and Allen Liwag.
Jamie Malonzo, one of the final cuts from the Gilas squad in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, earned a spot under head coach Norman Black.
The roster was based on the delegation list that was sent by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to the media.
Only Ravena, Wright, Parks, Malonzo, and Pre were retained from the initial list of players submitted to the Thai organizers a few months back. That shortlist included Mike Phillips, Kymani Ladi, Geo Chiu, Jason Brickman, Remy Martin, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.
[ALSO READ: Gilas coach Norman Black has 'biggest concern' ahead of SEA Games]
Notably, Black’s squad features no returning players from the 2023 SEA Games gold-winning team in Cambodia, as coach Tim Cone's team is focused on the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
The SEA Games roster has also undergone several revisions amid last-minute eligibility limitations, leading to the absence of naturalized star Justin Brownlee, as well as the removal of Phillips, Ladi, Martin, and Ganuelas-Rosser.
Gilas Men will kick off their campaign against Malaysia on Sunday, December 14.
The games will be livestreamed on One Sports YouTube and via Pilipinas Live. These will also be aired on TV via One Sports, One Sports+, PBA Rush, and RPTV.
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE | Team Philippines competes at 33rd SEA Games in Thailand]
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.