BANGKOK, Thailand -- Gilas Pilipinas guard Dalph Panopio is coming full circle when he makes his debut for the men's national team in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.
It was in Thailand seven years ago that Panopio made his debut for the Gilas Youth squad.
Now, he is set to make his first appearance for the senior men's basketball team in the 33rd edition of the SEA Games, where Gilas is looking to defend its gold medal.
Panopio, the third overall pick in the PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft by Blackwater, said it was an "instant yes" when he was called up to the Gilas squad.
READ: ‘Once in a lifetime,’ says Dalph Panopio on being drafted 3rd overall
"I'm super excited to represent the country again. It's been almost seven years and it's a pleasure and it's a big thing for me to be here and represent the country talaga," he said in an interview with Philippine Olympic Committee Media on Saturday.
"So much has happened since, you know, these seven years. I feel like so much development, so much growth, so I think it's just the right timing," Panopio added.
The PBA rookie said he is treating this tour of duty as his "audition" for the senior national men's basketball team.
"I mean, yes. I mean, the other players are like, oh, everybody are busy, you know. We just got the opportunity and the chance to be here because we're good and also we're the available ones. So, like, I think it's a great opportunity for us, for everybody here to like represent," Panopio said.
He said Filipinos can expect a more "mature and experienced" Dalph on the court.
"I mean, I'll say like the Dalph before, the young Dalph was kinda like just a really young Dalph like was ready for like a lot of experience, like ready to open to everything. Now I'm more like, you know, focused on like winning all the time, you know, that's what matters to me," Panopio said.
"So, you know, being a part of the Gilas for now with like this, so many talents, so many bets, so many good players like, you know, Robert [Bolick], [Matthew] Wright, Thirdy. It keeps bringing me that, like, you know, that learning thing. I mean, it's never, it's never like, I would say it's always an opportunity to learn foreign," he said.
READ: Gilas Pilipinas adds Liwag, Chua, Bolick to SEA Games lineup
'SAME-SAME BUT DIFFERENT'
Blackwater guard Dalph Panopio in action against Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, December 10, 2025 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. PBA Media
Despite not being new to the national squad, Panopio admitted this Gilas stint is different compared to his days in the youth team.
"Oh, the level is different. I mean, playing against other professional players, you know. Every player na nag-SEA Games ngayon, they play professional somewhere else," he said.
"You have to be, like, prepared and ready as a team and as an individual. So we got to do, like, I have to do my assignments, you know, study other players, study the game, and, you know, work hard," Panopio added.
The PBA rookie said preparations with Gilas is going well, with champion head coach Norman Black calling the shots.
"Coach Norman Black is really straightforward. I like that he really wants us to bring us together and, like, he wants to, you know, have that flow," he said.
"So, you know, even if we don't, we only had, like, what? Eight days of practice back in Manila. It can be an excuse for us to, like, you know, because we're all grown up here. We're all, like, professionals, but we know how to play the game. But, you know, what's important was, like, we had to really, like, lock in and focus on what Coach Norman once, you know, expects from us," Panopio said.
Gilas Pilipinas Men's will open its title defense against Malaysia on Sunday.