Tim Cone’s interim takeover as Gilas Pilipinas head coach may have just been met with a disaster. After most players of the previous Gilas team begged off from participating in the 19th Asian Games, plus the shocking decision of Chot Reyes to step away from basketball, a new national team is formed, only to be met with catastrophe. A few days earlier, we learned that Gilas Pilipinas stalwarts Terrence Romeo and Calvin Abueva will again don the blue and white jersey. The other two players supposed to be joining the nationals were Jason Perkins and Mo Tautuaa. Unfortunately, a shakeup resulted in these players being taken from the roster. But why are Abueva, Romeo, Tautuaa, and Perkins not allowed to participate in the Asian Games this year?
An error in the submitted lineup forced Abueva, Romeo, and others out of contention
Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Gilas Pilipinas just recently revealed the initial lineup they’ve submitted to the Asiad. However, Terrence Romeo and Calvin Abueva weren’t on the list. As a result, both Filipino basketball stars, as well as Mo Tautuaa and Jason Perkins, are technically ineligible to play in the 19th Asian Games. Although Gilas filed an appeal, it seems that the organizing committee is firm in its stance. Despite that, coach Tim Cone is still optimistic that there could still be a way for Abueva and Romeo to represent the Philippines.
“From my understanding, we’re still finding avenues to get them (Abueva and Co.) in. They’re up at Inspire practicing with us until we get that final, final word. We haven’t got that final word yet,” Cone said during a press conference.
ASIAN GAMES | UPDATE:
The original four Gilas Pilipinas players (Perkins, Abueva, Tautuaa, Romeo) are ruled ineligible due to their absence from the list submitted to the Asian Games organizers.
RR Pogoy, meanwhile, has a "serious" health issue that forced him to withdraw. pic.twitter.com/lEttF7aaSy
— RAIN Sports (@RAINSportsph) September 19, 2023
LOOK: Gilas Pilipinas released the 37 players left out of the 60 they initially submitted to the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games Organizing Committee. | via Martie Bautista/News5#AsianGames #HangzhouAsianGames pic.twitter.com/n9yRIwKK8D
— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) September 19, 2023
Plan B: Chriss Ross, CJ Perez, and others named as replacements for Abueva, Romeo, and co.
Due to the problem that has arisen, Gilas Pilipinas had to take action. With Terrence Romeo and Calvin Abueva possibly out of the team, the Philippine national team has selected Kevin Alas, CJ Perez, Chris Ross, and Arvin Tolentino as replacements for Romeo, Abueva, Tautuaa, and Perkins. Meanwhile, the sharpshooter Roger Pogoy reportedly withdrew from the tournament due to injuries. In light of that news, coach Tim Cone tapped PBA veteran Marcio Lassiter to take the place of Pogoy.
HAPPENING NOW: Gilas presscon | Kevin Alas, CJ Perez, Chris Ross and Arvin Tolentino to replace Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, Mo Tautuaa and Jason Perkson for the upcoming Asiad. Roger Pogoy withdrawing from the Asiad roster, to be replaced by Marcio Lassiter
[091923] pic.twitter.com/bJ5TBnxZav
— ᜑᜓᜃ᜔ᜊᜓᜅ᜔ ᜄᜒᜎᜐ᜔ (@gilasarmy) September 19, 2023
Because of the current situation, the rumor that Gilas Pilipinas will back out from the Asian Games circulated on the internet
The idea of pulling out from the Asiad has been circulating on social media. It’s worth noting that the Asian Games isn’t a FIBA-sanctioned tournament, and the Philippines would have a better chance at an Olympic ticket in the Olympic qualifiers next year. However, this was debunked by PBA insider and sports journalist Homer Sayson. In spite of the issues at hand, Gilas will still participate in the 19th Asiad with the new 12-man roster featuring June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, and many others. Although this squad seemed like a downgrade from the previous Gilas Pilipinas team that had Jordan Clarkson in the FIBA World Cup, this group of young men is eager to wave the Philippine flag from Sept. 23 to Oct. 10 in Hangzhou, China.
BREAKING NEWS: Gilas Pilipinas will not back out of the upcoming Asian Games despite manpower issues, multiple sources just told me.
The Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas (SBP) will be fielding replacement players to complete a Final 12 roster.
An official announcement is set at…
— Homer Sayson (@HomerSayson) September 19, 2023
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