Gilas Pilipinas to name 15-man pool for Vietnam SEA Games

Gilas Pilipinas is set to name a 15-man delegation for the country's title-retention bid in the 31st Southeast Asian Games set to be hosted by Vietnam from May 12 to 23.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial revealed national team and TNT head coach Chot Reyes had already informed him of the nationals' plan of convening 15 cagers in preparation for the biennial meet.

Marcial though clarified that not all 15 players will come from the professional ranks as these may also include cadets as well as Filipino imports currently seeing action in Japan like Thirdy Ravena and Dwight Ramos, both of whom suited up in the recent February window.

"Nag-meeting na kami ni coach Chot and may binigay siya sa akin na listahan. 15-man 'yun," Marcial told GMA News Online in an interview.

(I have met with coach Chot and he bared the list. It was a 15-man lineup.)

Marcial said he had already secured the nods of both the players included in Reyes' wishlist as well as the team governors.

He, however begged off from disclosing the names of the cagers pending the formal announcement from Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) as the basketball body will still submit the final composition to the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) before the deadline on Saturday, March 12.

Marcial noted that PBA players reinforcing the national team in the SEA Games won't disrupt the league as the ongoing Governors' Cup would be finished by then.

"Okay naman 'yung mga players. Kinausap ko na rin 'yung mga governors pero wala pang final composition kaya 'di ko rin alam sino ba 'yung 15.," Marcial added.

(The players said they were okay. I also talked to the governors but there is no final composition yet so I don't know who will make up the 15-man pool.)

The Philippine is the winningest basketball team in the SEA Games after having won 20 medals, 18 of which were gold while two were silvers. Gilas is also looking to take home its 14th straight title after ruling the 13 previous editions. — LA, GMA News