Every four years, the best athletes from Asia gather around to compete in various sports to proclaim who’s the best in the continent via the Asian Games, also known as Asiad. This year won’t be different. One of the major events in the tournament is a very popular sport in the world – basketball. After the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Asian nations will return for another round of grit and grind on the international stage. The Philippines, known for being extreme basketball lovers, had just submitted a new lineup to the Asian Games Organizing Committee. Who will represent the Philippines and be part of Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming Asiad?
Gilas Pilipinas 2023 Asian Games: Who’s in and who’s out?
NBA star Jordan Clarkson and some Filipino players who are currently playing overseas, like Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Kai Sotto, and Rhenz Abando, are reportedly not participating in the 19th Asian Games. Clarkson will be preparing for another NBA season with the Utah Jazz, while Sotto, Ramos, and Edu will return to their teams in the Japan B-League. On the other hand, Abando is still depending on his current team, Anyang KGC (Korea), if he can represent his home country again.
Dwight Ramos, member of Philippine national basketball team, made an announcement that he will miss the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games.
"No. I’m not playing in the Asian Games."
Among those expected to miss the campaign is Jordan Clarkson, who is likely to be back in Utah for… pic.twitter.com/3zB4ihOVfA
— The 19th Asian Games Hangzhou Official (@19thAGofficial) September 3, 2023
Prior to that, SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) and the POC (Philippine Olympic Committee) decided to take measures and submit a new lineup. The latest roster for Gilas Pilipinas includes recalling seven World Cup participants: June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, RR Pogoy, Scottie Thompson, CJ Perez, Jamie Malonzo, and Kiefer Ravena. However, sources revealed that Ravena may pull out of contention as he also plays in Japan’s B-League under the Shiga Lakestars. Furthermore, Malonzo might also beg off from the team due to injuries he suffered during the latest tournament.
Gilas' 🇵🇭 most efficient point guard in the World Cup Kiefer Ravena is back in Shiga!
He has already told the SBP that he will not be part of the team that will play in the #AsianGames. #BLEAGUE
📹 Shiga Lakes pic.twitter.com/kuH3hYqX4q
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) September 6, 2023
To complete the team, Gilas will be joined by Ange Kouame (Ateneo Blue Eagles, NCAA), Justin Brownlee (Ginebra San Miguel), Chris Newsome (Meralco Bolts), Calvin Oftana (TNT Tropang Giga), and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser (NLEX Road Warriors)
Any changes in the team will be subjected to approval by the Asiad committee. That is if the Philippines files for an appeal.
“The deadline for the Entry by Names (EBN) was last July 25 and whatever list a national Olympic committee is deemed officially”, POC chief Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said during an interview earlier this week.
Brownlee, a PBA import, has always wanted to represent the Philippines on the international stage. He has been with Ginebra San Miguel for quite some time and has brought numerous championships to the franchise. Brownlee and Kouame are only required to produce a Philippine passport in order to participate in the Asian Games. It would be very interesting to see how this new roster performs with such heavy pressure bestowed upon them.
Who will be coaching Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian Games?
After the WC, Chot Reyes has shared he is “stepping away” from coaching and basketball for a while. Due to harsh criticism and the backlash he received, the 6-time PBA Coach of the Year will be leaving his post as Gilas Pilipinas head coach. Because of that, SBP announced that Gilas’ assistant coach, Tim Cone, will replace Reyes. The winningest coach of PBA will lead a new group in the upcoming Asian Games.
Winningest PBA Coach Tim Cone will lead Gilas Pilipinas 🇵🇭 in its campaign in the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China! 🏀 pic.twitter.com/cxKux59wRm
— SBP (@officialSBPinc) September 7, 2023
During the World Cup, public outcry for Chot Reyes to leave his post went viral. Names like coach Tab Baldwin, Jimmy Alapag, and even Tim Cone are on the shortlist of coaches that people want to take over Gilas Pilipinas. Sadly, the Philippines finished the World Cup with a 1-4 record. Fortunately, the nationals can still qualify for the 2024 Paris Oylmpics through the 2024 FIBA Oylmpic Qualifying Tournament. But, they must face other Asian nations in the upcoming Asiad and make a good impression again. The last time the Philippines participated in this event, they lost to South Korea and only finished 5th. This year’s Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou, China, and commence on September 23. It will conclude on October 8.
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