Gilas Pilipinas' head coach for 2025 SEA Games Norman Black. Kennedy Caacbay, ABS-CBN News
MANILA (UPDATED) — Coach Norman Black shared some names who have committed to play for Gilas Pilipinas at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Black, who was tasked to supervise the national team for the regional meet, announced the players' names on Friday at the sidelines of the 2025 PBA Draft Combine at Ynares Center in Pasig.
The men's national baskeball team is gearing up for a title defense in the biennial event in December. Black also confirmed that there is a "passport-only" eligibility for the upcoming competition.
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"Right now we have Justin Brownlee, Ange Kouame, Ray Parks, Remy Martin, Matt Wright, Dave Ildefonso, Jason Brickman, and Veejay Pre, who have committed to play for the team," said Black.
Black hopes to secure big men from the UAAP, as this current pool lacks the height, adding that he wishes the league would give them some "reconsideration."
READ: Schools have final say on players’ possible SEA Games participation for now: UAAP
UAAP players would give the team the youthful energy it needs, said Black.
"So, I have four slots left. We're hoping to be able to add big men, because you can see, if you listen to the names I gave you, we lack bigs," he said.
"And we were hoping that we might get some consideration from the UAAP, because they have a lot of big men there. They can help us as they're young, they're good. So we're hoping that they'll be able to make some adjustments and be able to allow some of their players to play in the Southeast Asian Games."
UAAP executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag previously said that the players' participation in the national team will depend on the school "for now" as the SEA Games would coincide with the league duration.